Some Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and other critics argue that the Protestant doctrine of justification by faith alone contradicts Scripture. They particularly cite James 2:24: “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” Does this verse overturn the doctrine?
On social media, critics increasingly claim that because Scripture does not use the expression “faith alone” to affirm justification, the doctrine must be unbiblical. However, a doctrine need not be expressed as a specific slogan to be considered scriptural. The question is whether the Bible teaches that sinners are justified through faith apart from works.
To address the above arguments, we must distinguish between the means by which sinners receive justification and the evidence that their faith is genuine. Scripture teaches that justification is received through faith apart from works and that saving faith produces works of obedience.
Justification Is Received Through Faith Apart from Works
Justification is God’s gracious act of pardoning sinners and declaring them righteous on the basis of Christ’s righteousness. The basis of justification is Christ’s obedience (Romans 5:18–19) and His atoning death (Romans 3:24–26). Faith is the means by which we receive Him and His righteousness. Faith does not earn or produce salvation. Faith rests in the Saviour from whom the believer receives salvation and the righteousness of Christ imputed upon him.
Paul plainly states the distinction between faith and works of obedience: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28). Likewise, “a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16). These statements exclude works as the basis or accompanying instrument of justification.
Romans 4 makes the point unmistakable: “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (v. 5). God justifies the ungodly, not those who first make themselves sufficiently righteous by obeying the law. Paul then describes the blessedness of the man “unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works” (v. 6). Here, Paul contrasts receiving righteousness by faith with seeking to earning it by works.
This exclusion is not limited to Jewish ceremonies. Paul also says that God saved us “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy” (Titus 3:5). Even deeds properly described as righteous cannot serve as the ground for our acceptance before God.
Ephesians 2:8–9 declares: “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”. Therefore, “faith alone” accurately summarises the biblical teaching that sinners receive salvation through faith, excluding works as a meritorious basis.
Saving Faith Is More Than Mere Agreement
The teaching that God justifies by faith alone does not mean that everyone who claims to believe in Christ’s atoning work is saved. Saving faith receives Christ and continues to rely on Him for salvation; “The just shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38). Faith goes beyond acknowledging biblical truths; it trusts the Saviour whom those truths reveal.
James warns, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19). Demons possess correct knowledge concerning God, but they neither trust nor submit to Him. Intellectual agreement alone is not saving faith.
The question in James 2:14 concerns someone who claims to have faith but shows no works as evidence for the claim. James exposes the inadequacy of such a claim through the example of a brother or sister lacking clothing and food. Words of goodwill without practical help accomplish nothing (vv. 15–16). Likewise, “faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (v. 17).
Protestant teaching maintains both Scriptural truths: faith alone justifies, but the faith that justifies is not alone, for it has works consistent with faith. Faith bears fruit as evidence of God’s transforming grace.
Paul and James Address Different Errors
Paul opposes the teaching that justification can be achieved through works. James opposes the claim that a person has saving faith when his life provides no evidence of it. Nonetheless, their teachings are complementary.
James says, “I will shew thee my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Works reveal the character of faith. They do not replace faith or make up for any deficiency in Christ’s righteousness and His saving work.
James then cites Abraham to illustrate how works provide evidence of genuine faith (vv. 21–22). Genesis 15:6 records of Abraham: “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness”. Paul cites this passage to establish justification by faith (Romans 4:3). Abraham’s later offering of Isaac in Genesis 22 was an act of obedience to God, whom he had already believed. Yet that obedience did not secure righteousness, for righteousness had already been credited to him when he believed God and His Gospel promise (Genesis 15:6). Abraham’s obedience in Genesis 22 thus proved the genuineness of his faith.
James explains: “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” (James 2:22). Abraham’s obedience brought his faith to mature expression and demonstrated its genuineness. Thus, the earlier Scripture concerning his belief was “fulfilled” (v. 23).
James’ language of justification by works presents the proving, or vindication, of genuine faith through obedience. It does not teach that sinners purchase God’s favour by their deeds. When James rejects “faith only”, he is exposing the barren claim and showing that “faith without works is dead” (v. 26).
Good Works Are the Fruit of Salvation
Immediately after excluding works as the means of salvation in Ephesians 2:9, Paul affirms their necessity as the result: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
The order matters: salvation by grace through faith, followed by a life of good works. Believers obey because God has made them alive in Christ.
These works must align with what God has revealed in His Word. The works of faith are not human traditions or cultural practices. They are the duties God has revealed in His Word. They include love, truthfulness, purity, mercy and practical care for others. “Faith which worketh by love” characterises the Christian life (Galatians 5:6). Jesus likewise says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Human traditions and outward religious ceremonies not prescribed by Scripture cannot substitute for obedience to His Word.
Believers remain imperfect and must continually repent and consecrate themselves to do God’s will. A persistent, unrepentant disobedience contradicts a profession of faith: “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar” (1 John 2:4).
The biblical teaching on saving faith is that Christ alone supplies our righteousness; faith alone receives Him; and genuine faith bears the fruit of obedience. We neither trust our works for justification nor dismiss them as irrelevant. They testify that the faith we profess is living and that God’s saving grace is at work within us.
