Are we justified through faith or works? : the New Testament response in Paul and James

Abstract

In this work, I intend to give a simple explanation of the New Testament response in Paul and James about justification through faith and works. Is there a contradiction between James' teaching on the necessity of good works for justification and Paul's teaching on justification by faith apart from works? After giving a brief explanation of what is Faith and Works I will try to explain that there is no controversy between Paul and James on this issue of justification. The Key texts are James 2, 24; and Rom 3, 28: James declares, You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone", while Paul teaches: "or we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law". The Epistle of James, is a complex and ambiguous letter where one can emphasize in particular the exaltation of the poor and humble and the condemnation of the rich, a very positive attitude towards the law and its obligations, the priority accorded to works, and the need to live in conformity to the teaching of Jesus. The letter presents a very different view of human salvation from that of Paul who concentrates on the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ as basic eschatological and cosmological events which radically modify the role and nature of the Mosaic law and the conditions of salvation. According to the letter of Paul, it is essentially following the teaching of Jesus that allows one to be saved. James does not teach doctrine, but tries to improve morals. Finally the letter reveals a Christian community nurtured by biblical traditions and fully integrated into the Judaism of its time. The notion of a separation between belief in Jesus and Judaism would certainly have been incomprehensible to its author. The basic theme in Galatians is falling from grace. We are used to thinking that mortal sin is the only way one can fall from grace. The letter to the Galatians reminds us that falling under the law is equally dangerous and harmful. On giving an analysis of the diverse meanings which Paul and James attach to the terms faith, works, justification in their thesis, and especially Paul's exhortations to live according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh, to follow Christ's example of humble love and service, which are an integral part of every letter of Paul give evidence to the fact that Paul had never read the epistle of Paul and so could not be writing against "faith apart from works" in Paul. (c. ex., Gal 5, 13-6: 10: Rom 8, 12-13:1..J., 10-13: Phil 2, 1-13).