{"id":53113,"date":"2018-07-17T09:13:58","date_gmt":"2018-07-17T06:13:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=53113"},"modified":"2025-09-18T19:54:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T16:54:58","slug":"what-is-the-difference-between-works-of-the-law-and-works-of-faith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2018\/07\/17\/what-is-the-difference-between-works-of-the-law-and-works-of-faith\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Difference Between Works of the Law and Works of Faith?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let\u2019s grow together in the knowledge of God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n

When we read the Bible, especially Romans 4<\/strong> and James 2<\/strong>, we encounter what seems to be a contradiction. Paul emphasizes that a person is justified by faith<\/em> and not by works<\/em>, while James says a person is justified not by faith alone<\/em>, but also by works<\/em>.<\/p>\n

So, is the Bible contradicting itself? Or is it our understanding that needs correction?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s study both passages carefully.<\/p>\n

\n

1. Paul in Romans 4: Justification is by Faith, Not by Works of the Law<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Romans 4:1\u20136 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cWhat then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?
\nFor if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about but not before God.
\nFor what does the Scripture say? \u201cAbraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.\u201d<\/em>
\nNow to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
\nAnd to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
\njust as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here, Paul is clearly addressing “works of the Law” <\/strong>that is, obedience to commandments, rituals, or moral efforts as a basis for righteousness before God. Paul says that no one can claim righteousness or favor before God by doing good deeds or keeping the Law, because:<\/p>\n

Romans 3:23 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cFor all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Similarly, Psalm 14 affirms the universal sinfulness of humanity:<\/p>\n

Psalm 14:2\u20133 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cThe Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
\nto see if there are any who understand,
\nwho seek after God.
\nThey have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
\nthere is none who does good,
\nnot even one.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Paul\u2019s conclusion is that righteousness before God is a gift<\/strong>, received through faith in Jesus Christ<\/strong>, not something earned by being morally good or religious.<\/p>\n

Ephesians 2:8\u20139 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cFor by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
\nnot a result of works, so that no one may boast.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So even though someone might say, \u201cI\u2019m not a thief, not an adulterer, not a drunkard,\u201d that\u2019s not enough to earn salvation. Only one person fulfilled the Law perfectly Jesus Christ<\/strong>. The rest of humanity, from Adam to the last human who will ever live, has fallen short.<\/p>\n

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2. James in James 2: Faith Without Works Is Dead<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Now let\u2019s consider James 2:21\u201326<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

James 2:21\u201324 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cWas not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
\nYou see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
\nand the Scripture was fulfilled that says, \u201cAbraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness\u201d<\/em>and he was called a friend of God.
\nYou see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

At first glance, James appears to contradict Paul. But the context is key<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Paul talks about works of the Law<\/em> (keeping commandments to earn righteousness), while James talks about works that come from genuine faith<\/em>. These are not the same.<\/p>\n

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What Are “Works of Faith”?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

James gives examples Abraham offering Isaac, and Rahab hiding the spies (James 2:25). These were not ritualistic or moral commandments, but actions flowing from their trust in God<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

James 2:26 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cFor as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Just like Abraham trusted God enough to sacrifice Isaac, we demonstrate real faith when we act<\/strong> based on God\u2019s promises.<\/p>\n

\n

Illustration: Faith in Action Today<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Imagine someone is diagnosed with diabetes and told not to eat sugary or starchy food. But this person believes the Word of God in:<\/p>\n

Matthew 8:17 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cHe took our illnesses and bore our diseases.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He believes he is healed by Jesus\u2019 sacrifice, and begins to live like a healthy person eating freely, walking confidently. That act of living out his healing, based on his faith in God\u2019s Word, is a modern example of \u201cworks of faith.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

His healing doesn\u2019t come because he is morally good (not a thief, adulterer, etc.) but because he acted on God\u2019s promise<\/strong> in faith. That\u2019s what James is talking about.<\/p>\n

Two Kinds of Works<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Type of Works<\/th>\nDescribed By<\/th>\nBasis of Righteousness?<\/th>\nResult<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Works of the Law<\/td>\nPaul (Romans)<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nCondemnation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Works Produced by Faith<\/td>\nJames (James)<\/td>\nYes (evidence of faith)<\/td>\nJustification<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

So we can say:<\/p>\n