Ephesians 2:8-10
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Is there any contradiction between the Apostles Paul and James on this matter? Paul, in Ephesians 2:8-10 says that faith and good works are required of the Christian. James, in the second chapter of his epistle, says that faith and works are inseparable: “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (verse 17); “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (verse 20) and “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. “ (verse 26)
The Revised Standard Version translates James 2:20 as: “Do you want to be shown, you shallow man, that faith apart from works is barren?” In the Bible, several women (Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, and Elizabeth) could not have children. In the physical realm, a fertile male and a fertile female are both required conditions for reproduction for most forms of life. Spiritually, active faith and active works are both required conditions to reproduce godly, spiritual life in us. In both cases, life, whether spiritual or physical, is a gift of God, and the Creator. If either condition is absent or inactive, barrenness or lack of new life results. The Greek word James uses is argos (instead of nekra, “dead,” as in verses 17 and 26), meaning “lazy,” “unproductive,” “unprofitable,” “idle,” “ineffective.” Its literal meaning is “no work”. The metaphoric picture that develops is of an area of land that receives plenty of sunshine, but too little rain and it is barren or desolate.
Faith is required. Works are required. Works toward God are to do His will and obey His laws. Works toward our neighbors are to serve them and to do good for them. Godly character is produced by Godly faith and works, as well as an example of true Christian living. Faith without works is dead. Faith with works is the life Gods wants to see in His children.
