The question of whether salvation is by faith alone or by faith plus works is one that has been debated for centuries. At the heart of the issue is James 2:24, which says, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” This seems to clearly contradict the verses that speak of salvation by faith apart from works (Romans 3:28, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-9). However, when we examine the context of James 2, we see that James is not contradicting the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Rather, he is speaking against a distorted understanding of that doctrine – one that confuses a mere intellectual assent with saving faith.
In James 2, James provides several illustrations to show that saving faith is not just an intellectual acknowledgment of the facts of the gospel. Rather, it is a living, active faith that expresses itself in good works. He uses the example of the demons who “believe” in one God but tremble in fear (James 2:19). Their mental assent to the truth does not justify them. He also speaks of Abraham and Rahab who demonstrated their faith by their works (James 2:21-25). Their works did not earn their salvation, but proved their faith was genuine. As James says in verse 18, he is showing his readers that faith without works is dead.
Paul teaches this same principle in his epistles. While making it abundantly clear that we are justified by faith apart from works (Romans 3:28), he also emphasizes that saving faith will inevitably be accompanied by works. For example, in Ephesians 2:8-10 he explains that we are saved by grace through faith and created for good works. Faith alone justifies us, but justifying faith is never alone – it results in a life of good works. Titus 3:8 exhorts believers to “be careful to devote themselves to good works.” And Hebrews 10:24 tells us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” James is not contradicting the message of free grace. He is explaining that those who have been justified will live a life characterized by good works.
So in summary, James is not teaching a different gospel from Paul. His emphasis on works is not at odds with justification by faith alone. Rather, he is stressing that genuine faith, which alone saves, will always produce good works. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains, “It is faith alone that justifies, but the faith that justifies is never alone.” Saving faith is demonstrated by good works, not nullified by them.
With this understanding in mind, it becomes clear in the broader context of Scripture that we are saved by faith alone and not by our own good deeds (Titus 3:5). However, the faith that saves will inevitably result in a life of good works that fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). The good works don’t justify us or earn our salvation – they demonstrate our faith is real. So in summary, salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. But the faith that saves is a living faith that produces fruit in the life of the believer. The good works don’t save us or secure our salvation – they demonstrate our salvation.
Here are some key verses that highlight this biblical truth:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5)
“For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” (Romans 3:28)
“Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2:16)
“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17)
“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” (James 2:26)
“But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18)
“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’—and he was called a friend of God.” (James 2:21-23)
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
In summary, the Bible teaches that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Our good works play no part in earning or securing our justification. However, the Bible also teaches that saving faith will necessarily result in a transformed life characterized by good works. Faith alone saves us, but the faith that saves us is never alone. Rather, it will be accompanied by new obedience to Christ and a life devoted to serving him through good works. Salvation is not based on what we do for God, but on what Christ has done for us. Good works are the fruit and evidence of our salvation, not the root of it.
So in the end, there is no contradiction between Paul and James. We are justified by faith alone, but that faith must be living and active, demonstrated by good works. We are not saved by good works, but if there are no good works, it reveals that our faith is dead and unable to justify. James complements, rather than contradicts, Paul’s teachings on salvation by faith alone. He is emphasizing that genuine justification will always be accompanied by good works – not because those works save us, but because the faith that saves us will inevitably yield the fruit of good works.