James is talking about works of righteousness and Paul is talking about works “of the law”. The law of Moses to be specific.
This is not what the text says!
Acts 21:18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; 21 but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.
Looking at the context it’s clear Paul is talking about the Mosaical law. We know that the law of Moses could not save (eternal life) and that is what Paul is telling them. Live by faith not by the law. In Ch. 4 he uses Abraham a man who was counted righteous before the law and before circumcision to prove that one can be righteous apart from them. 4:10 Under what circumstances was it credited?
Circumcision was part of the Mosaic Law, to be sure but Abraham was NEVER under the Mosaic Law - not ever. Paul was NOT talking about the Mosaic Law in Romans 4, he was talking about works - period (not that there is a difference - more on that later). Good works are clearly an important part of the Christian life but Paul flatly teaches that they are not required to save you. He states it explicitly.
He deals with the same thing in Galatians.
Gal. 3:17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise…..5:3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
Exactly! I cannot understand how you didn't just argue my position on this.
James uses that same OT scripture to prove that works complete faith.
James 2:22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness and he was called God’s friend.
YOU added "complete faith" not the text. James chapter two is about what sort of faith is required for salvation. He is not talking about sanctification but is specifically speaking about SALVATION.
I could add a lot more but for time. Paul never says apart from work of righteousness just apart from works "of the law".
Not according to the text. This sort of hoop jumping is precisely what I do not have to do. Paul states explicitly that God imputes righteousness apart from works and James says the opposite.
Further, works of righteousness are works of the law! The works themselves are the same works. Love God and your neighbor! That's the law. You say that Paul is only speaking of the law but I doubt you'd say that he taught we aught not love God or our neighbor! There's only one kind of good works. What makes it Law or not is precisely whether or not they are REQUIRED for either salvation or the maintenance of our relationship with God.
Galatians 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
The difference is that under the Dispensation of Grace your righteousness is
imputed to you by grace alone through faith alone. Your life is then lived by Christ through you not by you (i.e. your flesh) (Gal. 2:20). You are thus perfected (sanctified) by the same means by which you were saved (Colossians 2:6) - by faith.
Resting in Him,
Clete
