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Have you ever wondered how Paul and James could quote the same passage (Gen.
15:6) and not contradict each other?
The apostle Paul wrote, "For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath [whereof] to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:2-5). James wrote, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (Jas. 2:21-24). Paul was showing the Gentile Roman Christians that Abraham was obedient unto God, having been called of God before the law of Moses was given which also consisted of the law of circumcision. Judaizing Christians of that era were telling these Roman Christians they needed to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. Paul shows in the context of Romans 4 that Abraham was called out of heathenism before the law was given through Moses, whom the Jews highly revered (v1). All of this is demonstrated from vv 2-16. Notice these conclusive thoughts. "Therefore [it is] of faith, that [it might be] by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all" (Rom. 4:16). In these last days (Christian age) circumcision is of the heart not in the letter — works of the law (Rom. 2:29). James shows that faith alone does no one any good — period! Faith without the works of God (obedience) remains in good company with devils (Jas. 2:19, 20). Note again the quote by both of these inspired men, "And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness" (Gen. 15:6). It is necessary to get the context of any passage under magnification. Thus, one needs the broader picture in order to see how Abraham's faith is declared to him for righteousness. To demonstrate what James wrote, we could supply the word "hear" in place of "believe." "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by hearing [change and emphasis, RWK] only" (Jas 2:24). This is exactly what James declares in James 1:22ff to the believer and unbeliever alike! Abraham without the works of the law of Moses was justified, but not by "faith alone." Abraham's faith was pleasing to God, or accounted for righteousness. The word "for" in the original is eis, which looks forward. Thus his faith was imputed unto him for righteousness. The question is when? Hebrews 11:8 answers, "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Paul was talking about works of law; James was talking about works of faith. Paul was showing the Judaizing Christians that no one could be righteous, or justified, by works of law, for no one kept the law perfectly, and that to be justified, or made righteous, a person must believe in Christ. To the one who does not fulfill the works of the law, but believes in God, faith is reckoned for righteousness. Paul was arguing that works without faith would not justify, and James was arguing that faith without works would not justify. To exclude either is to fail of justification. Both referred to Abraham to illustrate their points. Abraham was justified without works of law, [law of Moses, RWK] but he was justified by works of faith. James laid down the principle that faith without works is dead, and will not justify. He used Abraham as an illustration, and then drew the broad conclusion that a man — any man — is justified by works, and not by faith only. (R. L. Whiteside, A New Commentary on Romans, 1945, Denton, Texas, Miss Inys Whiteside Pub., p. 95). Faith, when it obeys, is declared to be righteous — right doing. The psalmist declared ". . . all thy commandments are righteousness" (Ps. 119:172). Jesus declares the Father's love in John 3:16. Jesus demonstrates His love by giving His life (Matt. 20:28; Phil. 2:8). Jesus bids all to come and drink freely (Matt. 11:28ff; Rev. 21:6; 22:17). Jesus commands all to believe in Him or be lost (Jn. 8:24). In John 6:28-29 Jesus said in response to the question, "...What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? ...This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." To stop short of doing the will of God is to remain as the devils (Jas. 2:19). Jesus commands repentance (Lk. 13:3, 5). Jesus commands His name to be confessed (Matt. 10:32f; Jn. 12:42-43; Acts 8:36-37). Jesus commands baptism in water "for remission of sins" (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38). Therefore, the works Paul and James speak of are not the same in kind. Paul declares the works of the law were not legislated when Abraham was told the first time that his faith was imputed unto him for righteousness. Abraham believed God (Heb. 11:8) before the law of circumcision was given at Sinai. His faith demonstrates obedience and therefore it was accounted unto him for righteousness. This helped prove to Gentiles and Jews alike (Rom. 4) their faulty assumption relative to keeping the law when the law of faith was established (Gal. 5:4; Rom. 8:1, 2). This must necessarily be the case because Abraham is said to have believed God and for his faith to have been pleasing before the Father it had to be operative in doing what God said. This is a work of God (Jn. 8:28, 29). Be reminded of Psalm 119:172. Therefore faith alone has never been blessed by God. "Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak" (Jn. 12:44-50). Have you obeyed the gospel (2 Thess. 1:8)? Or, are you still keeping company with devils (Jas. 2:19-20)? |