Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 'But some one will say' х all' (G235) erei (G2046) tis (G5100): erein (G2046) expresses the mind of the speaker], continuing the argument from James 2:14; James 2:16. One may х lege (G3004)] allege he has faith, though he have not works. Suppose one were to say х eipe (G2036)] the words to a naked brother, 'Be warmed,' without giving him clothing 'But some one (entertaining right views) will object х erei (G2046)] against the "say" of the professor, etc.
Show me thy faith without thy works - if thou canst; but thou canst not SHOW - i:e., evidence-thy alleged (James 2:14) faith without works. "Show" does not mean prove, but exhibit to me. Faith is unseen except by God. To show faith to man, works in some form are needed: we are justified judicially by God (Romans 8:33), meritoriously by Christ (Isaiah 53:11; Romans 5:19), mediately by faith (Romans 5:1), evidentially by works. The question is not as to the ground on which believers are justified, but as to the demonstration of their faith: so Genesis 22:1, it is written, God did tempt Abraham - i:e., put to the test of demonstration his faith, not for the satisfaction of God, who knew it well, but of men. The offering of Isaac (James 2:21) formed no ground of his justification; for he was justified previously on his simple believing in the promise of spiritual heirs, numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:6). That justification was showed by his offering Isaac forty years after. That work of faith demonstrated, but did not contribute to his justification. The tree shows life by fruit, but was alive before either fruits or even leaves appeared.