Paul and James?

Question

I know there exists somewhat conflicting views on salvation. Is it by faith or by works? Lets try to ignore that for a moment. In Ephesians 2:8-9 it says we are saved by faith. Then in James 2:17 we are told faith without works is dead. Many people find these contradictory and I must admit to having thought a lot about this lately. The conclusion I have come to is this. Paul is teaching how one is saved, by faith. James is teaching how one who is saved should act, we should have works. It is faith that saves us and works that show that faith. What say you?

Let me apologize to my Catholic friends before I say this.

PaulCyp - You dare condemn Protestants for man made tradition? Have you heard the phrase the pot calling the kettle black?

Answer 1

Finally, you get it!!! AMEN!!!

Answer 2

In reality, Paul and James did not disagree at all. The only point of disagreement some people claim is over the relationship between faith and works. Paul dogmatically says that justification is by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) while James appears to be saying that justification is by faith plus works. This apparent problem is answered by examining what exactly James is talking about. James is refuting the belief that a person can have faith without producing any good works (James 2:17-18). James is emphasizing the point that genuine faith in Christ will produce a changed life and good works (James 2:20-26). James is not saying that justification is by faith plus works, but rather that a person who is truly justified by faith will have good works in his life. If a person claims to be a believer, but has no good works in his life – then he likely does not have genuine faith in Christ (James 2:14, 17, 20, 26).

Paul says the same thing in his writings. The good fruit believers should have in their lives is listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Immediately after telling us that we are saved by faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9), Paul informs us that we were created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). Paul expects just as much of a changed life as James does, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17)! James and Paul do not disagree on their teaching on salvation. They approach the same subject from different perspectives. Paul simply emphasized that justification is by faith alone while James put emphasis on the fact that faith in Christ produces good works.

Recommended Resource: Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification by R.C. Sproul.

Answer 3

I disagree. James leaves no room for justification by faith alone. He is not saying that works will accompany justification - he is saying that justification is procured by both faith and works. He denounces the idea that justification is by faith alone, and even insists that the demons have faith.

The apparent conflict has a long and convoluted history, and really centers on a misunderstanding of the word "justification." When the Greek New Testament was translated into Latin, several theological terms were cast in a distinctly juridical light, and Protestantism inherited that same juridical interpretation. One such term is "justification."

In Greek, the word "justification" is dikaiosis. The 'sis' ending in Greek always indicates a process - never a definite act. Justification is not a legal aquittal - it is the process of becoming "just" (dike), or, ultimately, sinless. Even Vines Greek dictionary obscures the actual meaning by explaining that the term means "the process of being declared just." But that is not accurate - the word means "the process of becoming just."

In other words, justification is the process in which Christians gradually attain sinless perfection over time. It is not a legal declaration of "not guilty." Now, Paul explains that the fear of death causes people to sin. But Christians participate ontologically in the life of Christ, and so their firm faith in immortality grants them the power to overcome sin and become just (or righteous). So justification, according to Paul, is accomplished by a belief in immortality, and not through adherance to some moral standard like the Law of Moses. But justification, according to Paul, *is* good works.

James echoes the same point, and insists that justification is the performace of good works, which is made possible through faith in immortality. So justification is by faith and works, and not by faith alone.

Answer 4

Most likely, the confusion is that they are actually talking about the same faith, but different works.

Paul is talking about the works of the Law of Moses (this is why he always refers to circumcision, other Jewish commands; consider: Galatians 5:6 "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love"). James is refering to the works of the Law of Liberty, James 1

You might see this better represented by what Paul says in Galatians 4:24, where he clearly states there are two covenants, or Romans 8:2, where he clearly states that there are two laws. In both texts, Paul's point is to direct Christians away from confidence in the works of the Law of Moses (the Old Testament, excluding Genesis) towards faith in Christ.

James is trying to get a believer to understand that Rahab's or Abraham's faith was made complete with his works of obedience.

Answer 5

Read the end of Matt 25. He doesn't even mention faith, but says that those who do not do works of Christian charity will go to hell. Pretty straightforward, wouldn't you say? These passages don't conflict. They simply stress different aspects of the total truth. To know the total truth you have to look at EVERYTHING the Bible yells us on a particular subject, not pick and choose passages that you think support your own manmade traditions. The Christian Church - the real Christian Church founded by Christ - has stressed from the beginning that faith AND works are the TWO required elements of accepting the gift of salvation. No Christian on earth ever believed otherwise until a few hundred years ago, when the unbiblical manmade tradition of sola scriptura was introduced, and doctrinal chaos quickly and predictably followed. Considering that there are now thousands of unathorized manmade sects attempting to interpret the Bible for themselves; and considering that each of their beliefs conflict with the beliefs of the others; and considering that truth cannot conflict with truth; therefore it is no surprise that many of these unauthorized denominational groups, which exist in open rejection of the stated will of God - that they all may be ONE - are just as confused about what is necessary for salvation as they are about the rest of the gospel message.

Answer 6

They were talking about different things. Paul was saying how grace saves you, but James was pointing out that faith should be accompanied by good works. James never says "by works we are saved". He merely says that faith will be accompanied by good works. Paul believed this too because Paul was a Pharisee, a sect that emphasized righteousness and purity.

Answer 7

10-4

Answer 8

I agree. They are talking about different things. Paul is teaching how to become Christian and the half brother of Jesus, James goes into detail how to go about with our confessed faith after we already are Christians and saved.

Answer 9

Your right. Paul was preaching to one group of people telling them how to become saved. James was telling the church that you can't rest on your salvation and that we are called to go out and do God's work.

Answer 10

No, that Paul thing is taken out of context. This is the whole passage.

Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The works he's talkng about in that passage are Works of the Law (i.e. Jewish law, law of moses.) which are different from good works. Good works are what James was talking about.

Answer 11

James is teaching that true faith works! He isn't talking about salvation per se, but about the quality of true faith: it's alive, you can see it in works, it's godly, it works!