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But wilt thou know? Either this question is in order to teaching, as Joh_13:12 Rom_13:3; and then the sense is: If thou hast a mind to know, I shall instruct thee: or, it is a teaching by way of question, as more emphatical and pressing; and then it is as if he had said, Know, O vain man.
O vain man; an allusion to an empty vessel, which sounds more than one that is full. The carnal professor to whom he speaks is vain, because empty of true faith and good works, though full of noise and boasting.
Objection. Doth not the apostle sin against Christ’s command, Mat_5:22?
Answer.
1. He speaks not of any particular man, but to all in general, of such a sort, viz. who boasted of their faith, and yet did not evidence it by their works.
2. It is not spoken in rash anger, or by way of contempt, but by way of correction and just reproof; see the like spoken by Christ himself, Mat_23:17,19 Lu 24:25 and by Paul, Gal_3:1 1Co_15:36.
That faith without works is dead; a defective speech, faith without works, for that that which is without works, or, faith, if it be without works. He doth not say, faith is dead without works, lest it should be thought that works were the cause of the life of faith; but faith without works is dead, as Jam_2:17,26; implying, that works are the effects and signs of the life of faith.