James 2:20

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren?

On this verse, Barclay noted that "The fact that Christianity must be ethically demonstrated is an essential part of the Christian faith throughout the New Testament."[40] Barclay's affirmation, however, does not go far enough. It is precisely in restricting James' teaching on works to the ethical field that Solifidianism stumbles. The importance of the great Christian ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper, along with the absolute necessity of the church and a consistent fellowship in "the body of Christ" are also most certainly included. See Excursis on Solifidianism at end of chapter.

O vain man ... As Tasker said, "The vain man addressed is anyone who is so devoid of spiritual understanding that he does not see that faith which never results in works is merely a sham."[41] As Roberts puts it:

The language of James 2:20 calls upon the believer in "faith only" to be willing to recognize or acknowledge the truth. James is so confident of the truth of his position and of the force of his reasoning that he calls upon the errorists to concede.[42]

The man who will still uphold "faith only" in James' mind is shallow in his mind; nevertheless he will proceed to present arguments from the sacred Scriptures of the Old Testament.

[40] William Barclay, op. cit., p. 73.

[41] R. V. G. Tasker, op. cit., p. 67.

[42] J. W. Roberts, op. cit., p. 91.