Faith and Works Biblical Controversy Resolved

Paul and James have a great controversy in their excerpts on the concept of righteousness through belief and faith in God and that of faith and works in God. 

Although it is not supposed to be a controversy, many think so. Paul emphasized that salvation and oneness with God is by faith only in Christ Jesus whilst James seems to stress the point that faith without works is dead. According to James, faith and works move together, but Paul seems to say that faith alone is okay. This excerpt reveals the true idea underlying their teachings.

To fully comprehend and understand these excerpts, we need to consider the people that the individual writers were writing to. We also need to consider the issue that they were addressing with their letters, the mindset of the people towards the issues and not all, the situations under which the letters were written. I strongly believe that if James were to write to those Paul wrote to, he would have written the very same words as Paul and vice-versa.

Let us take a look at the scriptures that tend to bring out this controversy so that we can critically look into it. Paul writes to the Romans in

Romans 4:2  saying “For if Abraham were justified by works, he has something to glory; but not before God. 

3  For what says the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 

4  Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 

5  But to him that works not, but believeth on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 

6  Even as David also describes the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputes righteousness without works, 

7  Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 

8  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 

9  Comes this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 

10  How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 

11  And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 

12  And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised”. 

We can deduce from the scripture above that Paul was writing to Romans who were Gentiles by nature and in other words “those of the uncircumcision”. There were Jews living in Rome in those days, however, but Paul was an apostle to the gentiles and so wrote according to the grace of God that God He gives him towards the gentiles.

 Paul stresses the concept of righteousness without works which he reveals Abraham had. Abraham could have got something to boast of if it were to be by works, but that boasting will definitely not be in the presence of God because all our righteousness is but a filthy rag. Nevertheless, Abraham had it by faith alone.

Paul again raised a vital point. He stresses the issue of when the righteousness of God was imputed unto him. Was it imputed while he was circumcised or uncircumcised? It was definitely when he was uncircumcised for circumcision came only as a seal of the righteousness that Abraham had whilst he was then uncircumcised. This also suggests that circumcision in itself is not righteousness, but just a seal of the righteousness that they had with God.

This makes things clearer. Looking at this, we can see the mindset of the people that Paul was writing to. They might actually have the mindset that after their belief in Jesus, they need to be circumcised in order to attain righteousness with God. They thought circumcision is the guarantee to righteousness but Paul was making it clear to them that circumcision was only a seal, and not the righteousness itself.

What is then referred to as “works” over here is the issue of circumcision. Paul is stressing the point that if Abraham was justified by the work of circumcision, he could have something to boast of, but that boasting will never be before God.

Things get much clearer when you take a look at the twelfth verse that reveals that those of faith must also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham. This implies that the faith of Abraham requires some steps; things that need to be done and not just sitting idle saying “I have got the faith of Abraham”. What if it is these steps; these things that need to be done that is those things that James is referring to as the works. Well, let us see.  Let us think about this because Paul made the distinction clearly that the work he was referring to is the work of circumcision that does not qualify one to be righteous. He, however, did not leave out the steps of faith that need to be taken, just as Abraham did. We can, therefore, conclude in a way that Paul is trying to say that Abraham got his righteousness by faith and without the works (of circumcision); however, his faith caused him to take some steps which are definitely not the work of circumcision.

This issue was also a major concern in the church of Galatia and Paul again addresses it stating in Galatians 3:1 “O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 

2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 

3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 

4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 

5 He therefore that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 

6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 

7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 

9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 

11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith”.

It is clear over here that Paul directly calls it “the works of the law” and not just works. These show that the works of the law such as circumcision and the obedience of the Sabbath etcetera do not justify one before God, but faith only. That is why it is stated that the just shall live by faith, but mind you; faith also requires some steps in which we need to move in. Paul decided not to call these steps “works”, but let us see if these steps are the ones that James called “works” or was he also referring to the “works of the law” just as Paul did. This will bring out the confusion in these two scriptures making us see whether there was actually a controversy or not.

James 2:14  “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man says he has faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 

15 If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food, 

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 

17 Even so, faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. 

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 

22 Sees thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 

25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers and had sent them out another way? 

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also”. 

I believe you have already seen the difference if you should take a critical look at this. The things that James refers to as works are the act of helping one another in need. The church that James was actually writing to could have lacked the sense of care that is needed in the body of Christ. Let us take out the work that the church lacks that prompts James to write this.

“15 If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food, 

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?”

We see earlier on that Paul says that our faith requires some steps in which we need to walk in. James now clearly points out those steps that Abraham walked in as the “works of Abraham”. Paul calls them “the steps of the faith of Abraham” whilst James call it “the works of Abraham”. It is also evident that James letter has nothing to do with circumcision and other works of the law. It is only centered on love for one another which is the new commandment of the church.

According to James, your faith is made perfect when you perform or take action on what your faith requires you to do. Paul was not in objection to that because he admonishes that we need to “walk in that faith of our father Abraham”.

In this sense, if you have faith in God for salvation, believe and confess him according to Romans 10:9-10.

If you have faith in a business idea, start it.

If you have faith that your prayer can heal the sick, pray for the sick etcetera.

Brethren, I believe this has help cleared up the confusion on these two scriptures. God is not the author of confusion. He would not say one thing to one person, and another to another.

Leave a comment, share your views and alert a friend on this if you care.

Remain blessed.