James 2 vs Romans 4

Do Paul and James Contradict?

In James 2, it states: "What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected," (James 2:14-22 NASB1995).

In Romans 4, it states: "For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness," (Romans 4:2-5 NASB1995).

James 2 creates a division between two concepts. The first is a dead faith, the one demons possess. A faith that does not follow God but merely knows of him. Then there is correct faith, faith that brings forth good works. 

In Romans 4, Paul is telling us that if we are to say Abraham is saved by his own works, then he would be able to boast. Works are not something that saves us; rather, it is what is due, something that we ought to perform. If Abraham was justified by works, a hypothetical situation, then he would not boast this to God for God would not be impressed by one doing mere good works. 

Paul is trying to show the difference between being made right with God through works opposed to faith, something he notes we can not do (Romans 3:23). "For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified," (Romans 4:13-14 NASB1995).

If all a person had to do was perform works, faith would become void or useless. A person must have proper faith. We can not earn our salvation through our works for our sins will always be stronger than our works:  "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast," (Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB1995). 

The focuses of Paul and James are different, yet their messages flow together nicely. You are not saved by works, for you are saved by your faith, but a person's faith must bring forth good works or it is not proper faith.

Work Cited:

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.