James 2:24 is an eye-opening verse that should give any Christian pause. Martin Luther launched the doctrine of sola fide (justification by faith alone) that is a foundation for many protestant Christians. Martin Luther did not like the book of James because he believed it contradicted his foundational tenant in sola fide. His battle with the Catholic traditions were a major reason why. Because of this view Luther did not want James to be in the Bible.

Faith Alone

“Therefore St. James’ epistle is really an epistle of straw, compared to these others [John’s Gospel, Paul’s epistles, and Peter’s first epistle], for it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it.” Luther’s Works

Luther argued that the gospel was absent from the book of James and this is true to a degree. Yet James is in the Bible and it is a book of wisdom so we must reconcile what is there and understand how James 2:24 and Romans 3:28 are at work from two different perspectives.

You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. James 2:24 ESV

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 3:28 ESV

There are a few key words we must parse in these two seemingly contradictory sentences. James the author of James 2:24 and Paul the author of Romans 3:28 are not contradicting each other so we will dive into what they are communicating.

Justified

They use the same word for justified δικαιόω (dikaioō) which means to render righteous. James says that one is justified by work and by faith. While Paul says that one is justified by faith apart from work. Since they use the same Greek word for Justified we need to look more deeply at the rest of the statements.

Works

James says a person is justified by works as in labor. Paul says a person is justified apart from works as in labor. Both use the same Greek word for work so there is nothing unusual about what they are saying. However Paul adds an additional word when he says that we are not justified by works. Paul says that we are not justified by works of the law. What does Paul mean when he adds “of the law”

Works vs Works of the Law

Law here is νόμος (nomos) which means commands or rules by which one is subject. Paul says that justification does come from faith (and James agrees) but then Paul says that Justification does not come from the works of the law. When we go back to James 2:24 he does not say that justification comes from the works of the law. James only says that justification comes from works and faith. If James had said justification came from works of the law we would have a contradiction, but James does not say anything contradicting Paul. And Paul does not exclude justification from “works” only from “works of the law”

So then we must understand the difference between the works James is talking about and the works of the law Paul is talking about.

Works of Faith

Take a look at the two examples James provides to make his case. The first is Abraham and the second is Rahab.

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; James 2:21-22 ESV

And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? James 2:25 ESV

Both Abraham and Rahab believed in God for something. They had faith and that faith alone did not complete their story. James writes for both that the actions they took are because of faith. Their works completed their justification. What started as faith inside resulted in actions outside.

Faith Inside Out

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 EVS

Jesus confirms what James writes is true in his discourse with the disciples. What starts inward at the heart overflows into action. Who you are will come out eventually like trees bearing fruit in its season.

Not Works of Law

Additionally we need to look at the types of works James is talking about. James in his examples is not talking about the Ten Commandments. In fact both examples are contrary to the Ten Commandments at a surface level. Abraham was prepared to kill his own son. That is not a work of the law as Paul writes. And Rahab is responsible for the death and destruction of her own people by saving the spies. Both of these examples are not works of the law but works of as Foy Valentine writes “ministry, mercy, love, and justice done in obedience to the demands of God’s indwelling Spirit.”

When Paul says that Justification is not found in the “works of the law” he is talking about legalist letter of the law kinds of works that Jesus criticized the Pharisees of practicing. They practiced following the laws to the letter while being faithless inside. Paul is clearly right to say this will not justify and that only being reborn in Jesus will justify.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Matthew 23:27-28 ESV

Faith

The conclusion then is that James 2:24 and Paul are not contradicting each other but that the natural outflow of faith is works. Not the works of following a law but the works motivated by the Holy Spirit.

What this means in practical terms is that justification through Jesus Christ is sola fide a faith alone issue. Where James adds that a justifying faith for the ongoing sanctification of a Christian requires an application of works as a result of faith. Both are required to live out the Christian life justified before God.

Sola fide is a wonderful gift to understand how justification works for those seeking Christ. But if that faith does not bear fruit motivated by the Holy Spirit then the justification will never be complete in the season of ones life.