James 2:18-20 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Yea, a man Who judges better; may say To such a vain talker, in order to bring matters to a short issue; thou hast faith Thou sayest; and I make it appear by my life and conversation that I have works Which naturally spring from that principle. Show me thy faith without thy works If thou canst. Or, εκ των εργων σου, by thy works, as the most and the best copies read it, and as it is read in the margin. And I will show thee my faith by my works Let us, without contending about different explications of faith, make it manifest to each other that our profession is solid, by its substantial effects upon our tempers and lives. As if he had said, The only way in which thou canst show thy faith is by thy works; but as thou hast no works to produce, thou never canst show thy faith in this way. Thou believest that there is one God I allow that thou dost: but this only proves that thou hast the same faith which the devils have. Nay, they not only believe, but tremble at the dreadful expectation of eternal torments. So far is that faith from either justifying or saving them. But wilt thou Art thou willing; to know Indeed thou art not, thou wouldest fain be ignorant of it: O vain Κενε, empty, man Devoid of all true religion; that faith without works A persuasion of the truths of the gospel, if it produces no real fruits of holiness; is dead As to any valuable purpose that can be expected from it. Indeed it cannot justly be said to be faith, as a dead carcass is not a man. By a dead faith, then, St. James means a faith which, because it has no influence on a man's actions, is as incapable to justify him, as a dead carcass is to perform the offices of a living man.