A.T. Robertson Commentary James 2:17

"Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself." — James 2:17 (ASV)

If it have not works (εαν μη εχη εργα). Another condition of the third class with εαν and μη and the present active subjunctive of εχω, "if it keep on not having works."

In itself (καθ' εαυτην). In and of itself (according to itself), inwardly and outwardly dead (νεκρα). Same idiom in Ac 28:16; Romans 14:22. It is a dead faith.