Charles Ellicott Commentary James 2:18

"Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from [thy] works, and I by my works will show thee [my] faith." — James 2:18 (ASV)

Indeed, a man may say . . .—The meaning of this verse is commonly misunderstood. Its words are those of scorn, likely uttered by an enemy of the faith—Jewish or Pagan—and are another example, similar to the unruly tongue, by which those outside the bounds of Christianity may and will judge us within.

James 2:18–22 contains all the speech of this practical opponent of first-century solifidianism. The English version, Show me thy faith without thy works, is correct, though according to some editors (see marginal variation), it should be by or from.

The meaning is obvious; and whether the speaker is Christian or not, he lays claim to faith in God, the Father of all, as the efficient cause of his good deeds.