Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Faith ... being alone. Alford joins, 'is dead in itself.' Bengel, 'If the works which living faith produces have no existence, it is a proof that faith itself (literally, itself) has no existence, is dead.' "Faith" is said to be 'dead in itself,' because when it has works it is alive, not in its works, but in itself. The English version does not mean that faith can exist "alone" i:e., severed from works), but, Even so presumed faith, if it have not works, is dead, being by itself - i:e., severed from charity; just as the body would be "dead" if severed from the spirit (James 2:26). So Estius.