“A man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” (James 2:24, NKJV) 

In turning to the second half of James chapter two, we find what some consider a notorious teaching: “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (Jas. 2:24). This teaching prompted Martin Luther to declare James “an epistle of straw” and to question its inclusion in the New Testament. 

Surely, here we have found a contradiction in Scripture, one that reaches to the heart of the gospel itself. After all, didn’t Paul insist that “a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law” (Rom. 3:28). No wonder Luther reacted so strongly to James’s assertion. To add works to faith as a basis for justification before God would have undermined the newfound assurance he had come to understand through his study of the book of Romans. 

Both James and Paul appeal to Abraham to make their point. James says, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?” (Jas. 2:21). Paul, on the other hand, asserts, “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God” (Rom. 4:2). 

Will the real Abraham please stand up? Or more to the point, will the real teaching of God please stand out? How are we saved? 

Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. But none of these can be without effect, as Paul makes clear.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11–14) 

Luther himself says as much in the preface to Paul’s letter to the church at Rome in his 1522 edition of the German Bible, where he says that real faith is “a living, busy, active, mighty thing. It is impossible for it not to be doing good works incessantly. Whoever does not do such works is an unbeliever. Thus, it is impossible to separate works from faith, quite as impossible as to separate heat and light from fire.” 

To that both Paul and James would say, “Amen.” 

1. How can we reconcile James and Paul on the nature of saving faith?

2. How is Abraham an illustration of lively faith and what would such faith look like in your life?

“Father, grant us the comfort of assurance and the compulsion of obedience, through Your handiwork of grace in our lives to unite to Christ our Lord.”