From James 1:22, the apostle has been enforcing Christian practice. He now applies to those who neglect this, under the pretence of faith. St. Paul had taught that "a man is justified by faith without the works of the law." This some began already to wrest to their own destruction. Wherefore St. James, purposely repeating ( James 2:21,23,25) the same phrases, testimonies, and examples, which St. Paul had used, Romans 4:3, Hebrews 11:17,31, refutes not the doctrine of St. Paul, but the error of those who abused it. There is, therefore, no contradiction between the apostles: they both delivered the truth of God, but in a different manner, as having to do with different kinds of men. On another occasion St. James himself pleaded the cause of faith, Acts 15:13-21; and St. Paul himself strenuously pleads for works, particularly in his latter epistles. This verse is a summary of what follows. What profiteth it? is enlarged on, James 2:15-17; though a man say, James 2:18,19 can that faith save him? James 2:20. It is not, though he have faith; but, though he say he have faith. Here, therefore, true, living faith is meant: but in other parts of the argument the apostle speaks of a dead, imaginary faith. He does not, therefore, teach that true faith can, but that it cannot, subsist without works: nor does he oppose faith to works; but that empty name of faith, to real faith working by love. Can that faith "which is without works" save him? No more than it can profit his neighbour.

I know the Bible cannot contradict itself, so after I post this, I'll do some research into the Greek text. However, most "fire and brimstone" Christians go with the latter, while most "God's love" Christians go with the former. There has to be a way to go with both.

How does one resolve the apparent contradiction between Romans 3:21-28 and James 2:14-26?

They culminate in the following verses.

"For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law." - Romans 3:28

"You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone." - James 2:24

We cannot ignore either one, but here's how I look at it. James says that faith is dead without works. Works naturally come from faith and the grace that Christ has given us. We are justified, or acquitted of our sin, by our faith alone, but people will know our faith by our works. We all sin. Our sins aren't left there for us to work off, but they have been punished by the final sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Man is justified by faith alone, but not by faith THAT IS alone. Genuine faith will produce good deeds, but it is the faith in Christ alone that saves.

Thoughts? Resolutions? Hate mail (lol)?

- Brian