Faith and Works for Salvation? Galatians 2 Vs. James 2

Salvation is by faith alone without the deeds of the Law. The Bible is clear about this. But there are times when it looks or sounds like there are contradictions in the Bible. The truth is that there are no contradictions. We just sometimes don’t get our interpretations right.

When you speak of salvation being by faith alone, some people who do not believe will bring up James 2 in an effort to make a counter-argument. According to them, James teaches that salvation has to be by faith plus works. Let’s take a look at the passage:

James 2:14-20  What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James 2:21-24  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Vaguely looking at the above passage, it sure sounds like salvation is NOT by faith alone. But compare with Paul in Galatians:

Galatians 2:16-21   Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

It appears as though James preaches salvation by faith plus works, while Paul preaches salvation by faith alone. So, are Paul and James contradicting each other? Absolutely not!

The purpose of this article is to address this common confusion.

Below are biblical facts to show that James is not preaching faith and works for salvation. Part of the contents of this section courtesy of Nelson KJV Study Bible Notes.

1. Paul and James Are Addressing Two Different Groups

Paul is addressing the Jewish people who are seeking to be justified by the works of the Law. This is contrary to the gospel since salvation can only be by faith alone in the redemptive work of Christ.

James on the other hand is addressing the Jews who profess faith in Christ but continue their worldly lifestyles. Sounds like those Christians who believe they are saved by grace and can do whatever they like, commit any amount of sin and still be saved. The Bible does not teach this, and that is the problem that James is addressing in this Chapter of his Epistle.

The two apostles are discussing totally different subjects, since they are confronted by different problems. Paul, opposing the Judaizers, seeks to prove that the Gentiles can be saved and sanctified apart from circumcision or any other work of the Law. James, opposing merely nominal, professing Christians, seeks to show that true faith confirms itself by deeds of love. Nelson KJV Study Bible

2. The Apostles Use the Word for ‘Faith’ with Different Meanings

Paul in Galatians 2 refers to the gift of faith which we received. “…and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8. We exercise this faith in Christ’s completed works in order to receive salvation.

Romans 3:24 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Our salvation is free through faith in the redemptive work of Christ.

On the other hand, James is speaking of the faith that produces good works and Godly living. If you pay a close attention to James 2:14 and James 2:19, you will understand the point that simply knowing something, that is, mere head knowledge, without acting on it would not make any difference in the life of the one who has the knowledge. You can believe there is one God, and your lifestyle may not acknowledge it. According to James, even the demons are better than you because they at least tremble! Paul and James agree on this point.

In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul writes and we read:

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

From the above, Paul and James agree in the faith that produces good works. This is the way we justify ourselves before men, but not before God. Our justification before God is on the basis of what Christ did. That is why in the above passage in 1 Corinthians 6, Paul continues to say:

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

3. Two Kinds of Works

There is a difference between doing the works of the Law for salvation and doing good works after salvation. Paul addresses those who try to work for their salvation, while James addresses those who claim to be saved by faith alone but having no good works but poor testimonies.

The terminology of these two apostles differs. Paul constantly speaks against the “works of the Law”, as being a false use of those works to merit salvation. James however, is speaking of works of love that follow belief. – Nelson KJV Study Bible

James’ point is focused on how the believers should “work out” their salvation. The expression “can faith save him?” in verse 14 is not referring to the justification of the sinners. It refers however to how the one who claims to be saved is conducting himself before men. Pay a close attention to the verses 15 and 19: knowing something without acting on it as required is as bad as not knowing it. So if someone comes to you for tangible help, and all you did is tell them sweet words, you’ve done nothing. James is very specific, if someone is hungry, he needs food, not prayer!

Also he says in verse 19, that if you believe in God, and you do not act like it, then you’re worse than the devils because they at least tremble. Faith without works is truly dead. But pay attention to verse 18: James says to those who claim to be saved but with bad testimonies,

“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”

Did you notice the word “shew” that appeared multiple times in the verse? Doesn’t it agree with Philippians 2:12  “work out your own salvation”? The way we “shew” people we are saved is not just by professing faith in Christ, it is by our works.

Therefore James’ point in James 2:18 is the same as that of Paul in Philippians 2:12. Our salvation is through faith. God is aware of it and can identify those who have put their faith in Christ. But since it is impossible for men to see faith, the only way people will know we are Christians is by the way we conduct ourselves and live our lives.

Since it was God who saves us, then He already knows that we are saved. We do not have to prove our salvation to God, since He is omniscient. God does not need our works to justify us, neither does He need the proof of our salvation. He already knows them who are saved. But we have to work it out, or “shew” it for men, otherwise, we will be just like the world. No one will be able to tell the different.

Both Paul and James address the same problem in their Epistles. Therefore James does not speak of the justification of sinner by God since that happens on the basis of the redemptive work of Christ. But he speaks of the good works of the believers.

James’s teachings reflect neither a negative nor a positive response to Paul’s teachings. For Paul, faith practically equals salvation. James, however, sees two kinds of faith: saving faith and professing faith (much like the usage today). For Paul, justification is by faith (Romans 4:5). For James, justification is by faith that works i.e. by a genuine faith that manifests itself in post-conversion works. Before salvation, these Jews have believed in the efficacy of works. Now some were reacting at the opposite extreme, imagining that works play no part in salvation experience. James retorts that the kind of faith that does not produce works is not saving faith. – Nelson KJV Study Bible

4. The Apostles Use the Word “Justified” Differently

James 2:21-24  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

For Paul, it is justification before God. That is not by anything we do or can do.

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost

For James, the ‘justification’ in question is the way we prove ourselves before others through our works.

They use “justified” in different senses. It is customary to identify all nuances of this word with the theological idea Paul popularizes – that is, God’s act of declaring all believers righteous on the basis of Christ’s redemptive work. But a common Old Testament and gospel usage involves demonstrating or showing something to be righteous (Compare Psalm 51:4, Luke 7:35, Romans 3:4); it is this usage that James follows.

Apostle James is not speaking of the “Doctrine of JUSTIFICATION,” but of a man justifying himself before men. The illustration he uses is that of Abraham offering up his son Isaac. Abraham was a man of faith, but the only way he could make it visible to the men of his generation was by his WORKS, so God commanded him to offer up his son Isaac (Genesis 22:1-2). Abraham’s works had nothing to do with his salvation, but simply bore witness to his faith, for Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness. James 2:21-26. – Nelson KJV Study Bible

These are two aspects of one truth. Paul speaks of that which justifies man before God, viz.: faith alone, wholly apart from works; James of the proof before men, that he who professes to have justifying faith really has it. Paul speaks of what God sees–faith; James of what men see–works, as the visible evidence of faith. Paul draws his illustration from Genesis 15:6, James from Genesis 22:1-19. James’ key phrase is “ye see” James 2:24, for men cannot see faith except as manifested through works. – C. I. Scofield

5. Focus on Different Aspect of Abraham’s Life

Paul’s writing:

Romans 4:1-3 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Romans 4:9-11 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also

James’ writing:

James 2:21-23 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Though both men use Abraham as an illustration, they focus on different aspects of his life. Paul shows that Abraham was declared righteous by faith when he trusted God (Genesis 15:6 “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness”). James declares that he was shown to be righteous by his offering up of Isaac (Genesis 22:9). – Nelson KJV Study Bible

Genesis 22:9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

Salvation begins with faith in Christ’s redemptive work. The proper response to our free justification is the desire to willingly serve Him. We should therefore not put the cart before the horse by trying to make our works the basis for our salvation. Good works do not and will not get you saved; neither will you be kept saved by your works. Both our salvation and our security happen on the basis of the work of Christ.

Romans 8:34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

His work is completed. No need to add to it. Not need to complement it. No need to maintain it. After we are saved, all the good works which we do with the right motives will be rewarded on the last day – at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

So, be motivated to do good works, live right, put the flesh down, and stay away from all known sins. But as you do, do it for the right reasons – worshiping God with your life!