Faith vs Works – Paul vs James

I’ve seen lot of people pit Peter against Paul in an attempt to discredit Paul and I know that there is always an argument to be found over “faith vs works” and I recently came across such an argument in an online Christian forum. The argument was being made that James who taught “justification by works” was not as spiritually mature as Paul who taught “justification by faith” (alone).

So while the intend was not to completely throw out either Paul or James it was to show James as spiritually immature and the accusation was even made that James deliberately tried to “set up” Peter by sending men to Antioch where Peter was, causing even Peter to stumble over the law by causing Peter to separate himself from the Gentiles with whom he was eating (until those men came from James, of course). Not sure why James is at fault for what Paul said he was to be blamed, but I guess that just wasn’t important enough to their argument against James to address.

At any rate, the question was brought up. Are we justified by faith or by works? Shall we throw out Paul or James?

The problem for me is that I don’t see a contradiction between Paul and James. I believe that we can reconcile their words together without having to cast aspersions on either.

What James calls “the works” of Abraham is that which Abraham DID “by faith” when he “offered up Isaac”:

Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

Even our Lord refers to “the works” of Abraham when the Jew’s claimed to be “Abraham’s seed” though they did not DO “the works of Abraham”:

John 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our Father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

So even though Jesus speaks of “the works of Abraham” as does James, people want to point to Paul to disprove James and prove that Abraham was NOT “justified by works”.

Rom 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

(as James claims):

Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Oh no, they cry!! Here we have a contradiction between James and Paul. But do we? Should we not even consider WHAT “works” are being discussed in order to make that determination?

Let’s start with Paul. To what “works” is Paul referring when he said: “if Abraham were justified by works”? Is he not speaking about “the works of the law”, as in the law of Moses, which was added 430 years after the promise was made to Abraham “through the righteousness of faith” :

Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

And it is “that” law by which no man is justified”

Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

But there is another law, “the law of faith”:

Rom 3:27-28 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Faith “without the deeds of the law”. What law? The law OF MOSES; that does not mean that faith does not “work”, as faith “worketh” by love:

Gal 5:4-6 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

So while Paul was speaking against being justified by “the works of the law”, James was speaking of that which worketh “by faith” when he said “faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (Jam 2:17).

He’s certainly not talking about “the works of the law” (add 430 years after the promise was made to Abraham through faith) and neither was the LORD when He said to Isaac:

Gen 26:4-5 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

James was simply pointing out the same thing that Paul did; that we are “created in Christ unto good works”:

Eph 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

In other words, we are to bear fruit:

Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Rom 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

If we are not “bearing fruit” then where is THE EVIDENCE of our “faith”?

Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

The reason that James asks the question:

Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Was not because Abraham was justified by the law or the deeds of the law, but because it was “by faith” that Abraham “obeyed” God and offered up his only begotten son.

Faith and obedience go hand in hand. Abraham did not just BELIEVE God, he OBEYED God:

Gen 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast OBEYED my voice.

Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham BELIEVED God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Heb 11:8 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.

Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen THROUGH FAITH, preached BEFORE the gospel TO ABRAHAM, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

If we BELIEVE we will OBEY!!

Not only does Paul point that out himself:

Romans 10:16 But they have not all OBEYED the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath BELIEVED our report?

So does the Lord:

Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Not only did Jesus ask them why they did not “do” the things which he said, he even told them that they should BELIEVE THE WORKS, believing Him FOR THE VERY WORKS’ SAKE:

Joh 10:37-38 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Joh 14:11-12 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

We are to KNOW THEM ~by~ THE THEIR FRUIT!!

Mat 7:16-21 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Not everyone that saith: “Lord Lord” shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but those who OBEY and DO that which the Lord saith, as we are created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ordained that we should WALK IN THEM.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Tit 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

It is not possible to HAVE FAITH and NOT DO the things that he says, such that we bear THE FRUIT of the spirit, so that God may be glorified!!

Mat 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

In fact, we can DENY HIM IN WORKS:

Tit 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Which is why James could say:

Jas 2:14-26 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 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? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 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. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

It’s not about SAYING (anyone can ‘say’ they have faith) it is about WALKING IN THAT FAITH!! We cannot SAY and NOT DO!! If you are not OBEYING GOD then you lie when you say: “I have faith”.

Was Paul a misogynist?

So often I have heard this accusation made against Paul that I have decided to address it and those verses of scripture that are used to support it.

First I will take a look at 1 Ti 2:11-15:

Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

First of all, I would like to point out that in verse 11 Paul says that “the woman” is TO LEARN in silence with all subjection. If we keep reading into the next chapter we will see that Paul does not desire for us to be “ever learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 3:7).

So is Paul speaking of “all women”? Or even to “only women”?

Let us examine the fact that Paul uses Adam and Eve in his explanation. Paul points out that Adam was first formed, then Eve. He also points out that the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Is that to say that Adam was not in transgression? Not if we are to believe Rom 5:14.

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

This is key to understanding why Paul used not only Adam (who is “a figure of him that was to come” – Christ) but Eve in his explanation of why he suffers not “a woman” to teach, nor to usurp authority over “the man”.

Please note that Paul does not say “women” and “men” (plural), but “the woman” and “the man” (singular) and when speaking of “her” (the woman) he says, in verse 15:

Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.....

Why does Paul say: NOTWITHSTANDING, “she” shall be saved in childbearing, if “they” continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety?

Let’s turn to Eph 5:22-33 for minute, where Paul addresses the husband/wife relationship and says that the wife is to submit to her husband, for the husband is the head of the wife:

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Notice that while Paul is addressing husbands and wives he ends this admonition to them by pointing out that he is ACTUALLY using the husband/wife relationship to speak about CHRIST AND THE CHURCH.

In the relationship between CHRIST AND THE CHURCH who is “the woman” and who is “the man”? Is not “the woman” made up of both men and women? And how is “she” (this “woman”) who is THE CHURCH (made up of both men and women) “saved” if it is not by being “delivered of the child” (in childbearing)?

Are there any examples, in scripture, of a “man” being likened to “a woman”, even “travailing in birth”? YES!! Let us look at what Christ told his MALE disciples in John 16:19-22.

Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Christ, here, likens his disciples (all men, according to the flesh) to “a woman when she is in travail” because her time has come to be “delivered of the child”.

Now if we turn to 1Co 13:11, we can see where Paul speaks of this very thing, applying it to himself:

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

And if we turn to Gal 4:19, we can see where Paul applies it to others as he “travails in birth again” with them, waiting and desiring to see Christ formed in them:

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

What else do we know about “a child”?

If we turn to Gal 4:1-5 we will see that the heir as long as he is “a child” differs nothing from “a servant” and it is this CHILD that must be redeemed from under the law by receiving THE ADOPTION OF SONS:

Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

And if we turn to Isa 3:4-5 we can see that the Lord likens “children” to “babes”:

And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.

And further down in Isa 3:12, “children” are also likened to “women”:

As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

What does Paul tell us in 1 Cor 3:1-3 about “babes”?

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

We know, from this passage, that Paul says that “babes” are “yet carnal” (walking as men) and that they must be fed “with milk, and not meat”. And if we turn to Heb 5:12-14 we will see that those who are babes, who are still on milk are not able TO TEACH others (AS THEY OUGHT) but are still in need of one to teach them:

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

So if we turn back, now, to 1 Ti 2:11-15:

Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

We might be better able to understand who this “woman” is that Paul SUFFERS NOT TO TEACH.

Now let’s look at 1Co 14:34-35, the second set of verses used against Paul, in relation to his supposed misogynistic attitude:

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

Again, we see here that Paul is speaking of those who are LEARNING. And if we backtrack just a little bit we will also see that Paul is addressing the entire congregation and their “confusion” (instability, disorder… of which, Paul says, God is not author) and Paul even tells them not to be “as children” in their understanding.

Paul begins the chapter by telling them (the entire congregation, it seems) to seek spiritual gifts, but particularly that of prophesying, as prophesy is for the edification of the church. He tells them that when they come together they must do so in an ORDERLY fashion, allowing each other to take turns in speaking so that all things may be done unto the edification of all. Paul even says “ye may ALL (pas = all, any, every, the whole) prophesy one by one” before he said “Let your women keep silence in the church” (etc) which is then followed, in verse 36, by Paul asking them if the word of God came “out of them” or only “unto” them:

What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

The word of God cannot be coming “out of you” unless or until CHRIST is formed IN YOU and you have thereby been “delivered of the child”. Until then you are “a babe”, “a child”, “a woman” who is “yet carnal”, who is LEARNING and still in need of one TO TEACH YOU.

And Paul said: “I suffer not A WOMAN to teach”.

See the connections? See that Paul is really addressing CHRIST AND THE CHURCH when he speaks of ADAM AND EVE or the “husband” and “wife” (or “the woman” and “the man”)?

Paul finishes off this chapter, verses 37- 40, speaking again of “any man” (tis = some or any person) and “any” WHO THINK THEMSELVES TO BE a prophet or spiritual:

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.

Now let’s compare Paul’s words in 1 Tim 2:9-12 to Christ’s words in Rev 2:18-20:

Christ:

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because THOU SUFFEREST THAT WOMAN Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Paul:

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I SUFFER NOT A WOMAN to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

So, then, let ~YOUR WOMEN~ keep silence in the churches for it is not permitted ~UNTO THEM~ to speak. :o)

The only one who should be speaking IN THE CHURCH is ~THE MAN~ who is ~THE HEAD~ which is Jesus Christ.

It is only he (male or female) who has been “delivered of the child” who is spiritually mature, who is able to move from milk to meat, who is able (and allowed) TO TEACH others (as he ought).

Paul is not setting a limitation upon “women” after a carnal truth but setting a limitation upon “women” after a spiritual truth, as it applies to both sexes, as it applies to ALL MEMBERS of the church, as it applies to those who are “babes in Christ” who are “yet carnal”.

Scripture says that when the LORD pours out HIS SPIRIT that “your sons and your daughters shall prophesy” and PROPHESY is for THE EDIFICATION OF THE CHURCH.

And Paul said: “… ye may ALL prophesy one by one…” :o)

Well, that is not all that could be covered on this topic, but plenty enough, I think (I hope).

Jer 30:6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?

:o)

Christine