Did Paul and James teach contradictory ideas about salvation? Some believe Paul and James contradict each other when discussing salvation—especially when comparing James 2:24 (“a person is justified by works and not by faith alone”) with Romans 3:28 (“a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law”). Why isn’t Jesus’ teaching included in this conversation? After all, he also taught about what will result from the final judgment as well as inheriting eternal life.
The bottomline: There is no contradiction between Jesus, Paul, and James on salvation and eternal life.
Here’s why:
- Context clarifies the apparent contradiction.
- Jesus ministry as well as Paul’s and James’ letters instructed God’s people, not outsiders needing initial conversion. When addressing God’s people about their salvation, all three agree. All three taught messages filled with “salvation language” calling for repentance, warning against falling away, and encouraging perseverance. For God’s people to be saved, they cannot live in rebellion, but must walk in God’s ways (Mark 10:17-21; 1 Timothy 6:18-19; Titus 2:11-14; James 2:14-17).
- Jesus and James did not focus upon how outsiders could enter into becoming God’s saved people. Paul, however, at times did touch on various aspects of entering Christ’s saved body. No single context in Paul’s letters informs those outside of Christ about everything he or she needs to know in order to become God’s saved person. When Paul did touch on various aspects of entering into Christ’s saved body, his purpose involved protecting disciples against succumbing to false teachings threatening their salvation or to promote faithful endurance.
- James and Paul Used The Same Words Differently
- James’ concern: A disciple’s faith that is not lived out is dead (James 2:14). He wasn’t informing how someone becomes a Christian, but whether someone already in the community lives with a saving kind of faith. His point: real faith expresses itself in obedience to God’s ways. Can the kind of faith that is devoid of works save? The implied answer is no. Paul praised works of faith and agreed the obedience of faith is necessary (1 Thessalonians 1:3; Romans 1:5; 16:25-26).
- Paul’s concern: That disciples were relying or might rely on works of the Law (like circumcision or dietary rules) rather than upon faith for justification. Paul defended the principle that being right with God is God’s gift through faith, not something obtained by legal observance. When Paul denounced works of the Law, he was not referring to works of faith nor the obedience of faith.
What Jesus, Paul and James taught God’s people about walking that path leading to inheriting eternal life is congruent. As for how someone becomes a part of God’s people, the foundational answer involves entering into the unilateral covenant God offers.
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