Reconciling Saving Faith and Works of the Law in Paul and James

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the seeming contradiction between the teachings of Paul and of James on justification, particularly in Romans 3:28 and James 2:24. James’ idea that people are justified by their deeds and not by faith alone (James 2:24) seems antithetical to Paul’s teaching that people are justified by faith apart from works of the law (Rom. 3:28).  This paper analyses the Greek terminologies employed by James and Paul in communicating their views, and contends that the concepts of justification, expressed by the two authors are complementary rather than contradictory.