Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
wilt thou know—"Vain" men are not willing to know, since they have no wish to "do" the will of God. James beseeches such a one to lay aside his perverse unwillingness to know what is palpable to all who are willing to do.
vain—who deceivest thyself with a delusive hope, resting on an unreal faith.
without works—The Greek, implies separate from the works [ALFORD] which ought to flow from it if it were real.
is dead—Some of the best manuscripts read, "is idle," that is, unavailing to effect what you hope, namely, to save you.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing James 2:20:
Matthew 5:22
1 Corinthians 13:13
Galatians 5:6
James 2:24
James 3:1
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