James 2:24

Ye see. Using Abraham as an example of the inseparability of faith and works, James now draws his conclusion to the argument of vs. 14-23.

By works. No man who chooses to be increasingly like Christ will live a life barren of good works.

Is justified. James does not deny that a man is declared righteous by faith, for the quotation he has just given from Gen. 15:6 is evidence of this belief. However, he does deny that a mere profession of faith alone can justify a man. Good works accompany faith and prove the validity of the faith by which a man is justified. If there are no “works,” it is evident that genuine faith does not exist (see on James 2:17, 20).

Only. Or, “alone.” The apostle continues to stress the inseparability of faith and works (see on v. 22). He, of course, is not discussing the problem of “works of the law” in the sense of the ritual requirements of Judaism (see on Rom. 3:28).