James and Paul differ in three areas, salvation, prayer, and healing

James and Paul on salvation:

The most serious area of disagreement between James and Paul is their explanation of salvation. James indicates that good works must be added to faith to produce salvation.

James 2:17-20
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble!
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
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Paul gives a different explanation of salvation. Paul not only teaches that works are unnecessary for salvation, he specifically excludes works from the salvation process.

Romans 4:4-5
4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
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These two explanations of salvation are in conflict. What makes the disagreement between Paul and James even more perplexing is that both men point to Abraham as a validation of their teaching.

James said in James 2:21-22
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
NKJV ------ Please note that according to scriptures Abram was accounted as righteous before God long before Isaac was even born. Yet James points to Abraham works many years after the birth of Isaac.

Paul said in Romans 4:2
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
NKJV

This difference is answered by understanding that James was describing the salvation requirements for his Jewish audience (the circumcision), while Paul was describing the salvation requirements for this age of God's grace which is both for the Gentile audience (the uncircumcision) and the Jews. They each point to Abraham as an example, but use different events from Abraham's life to support their teaching.

Romans 3:29-31
9 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,
30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
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IMPORTANT It is significant that between the two events referred to above, another very important event took place in Abraham's life. In Genesis 17, God instituted circumcision as a sign of the Abrahamic Covenant. Paul uses Abraham in uncircumcision as an example of justification "through faith" without the works of the law. --- James uses Abraham in circumcision as an example of justification "by faith" plus the works of the law. Paul discusses and explains this dual fatherhood of Abraham in detail in the fourth chapter of Romans.

James and Paul on Prayer:
James and Paul also disagree on prayer. James presents prayer as a way to receive physical blessing from God if you obey the law and ask for the proper things
.
James 4:2-3
2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
NKJV

Paul presents prayer as a way to maintain spiritual stability in our lives regardless of the physical circumstances in which we may find ourselves.

Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
NKJV

James indicates that God will give his readers the desires of their hearts as long as those desires are in keeping with God's law. Paul, on the other hand, indicates that whatever the desires of our hearts are, God's response is always the same, peace. The response that Paul promises involves provision for our hearts and minds, not our bodies. It is not a promise of physical provision as was James' promise to Israel.
The examples of prayer used by James and Paul illustrate the differences in their teachings on the issue.

James 5:17-18
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
NKJV

A detailed study of the example given by James shows what is in accord with the principles of the law. Elijah was prophesying during the reign of wicked King Ahab. (See I Kings 16:30-33) In response to the king's wickedness, God shut up the windows of heaven just as he had promised in the law. (See Deuteronomy 28:23,24) James presents an example of prayer in keeping with God's instruction to Israel under the law.
Paul's teaching on prayer is best illustrated by an example from his own life.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
NKJV

As Paul prayed about his thorn in the flesh, nothing about his physical circumstance changed. The only thing that changed was Paul's reaction to the circumstance. He changed from desiring the thorn to be taken away to glorying in it. His prayer had changed his heart and mind. This is the prayer promise God gives to the Body of Christ in the Age of Grace.

James and Paul on healing:
The final area of difference in the teaching of James and Paul is healing. James gives the following instructions about healing.

James 5:14-15
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
NKJV

As with all of James' instructions, his pattern for healing is in perfect keeping with the instructions given to Israel in the Law of Moses. Below is God's instruction in the law concerning the healing of leprosy.

Leviticus 14:15-18
5 And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand.
16 Then the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle some of the oil with his finger seven times before the Lord.
17 And of the rest of the oil in his hand, the priest shall put some on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, on the blood of the trespass offering.
18 The rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed. So the priest shall make atonement for him before the Lord.
NKJV

The pattern of anointing with oil by the spiritual leadership is the same as described by James. Not only is the leper's disease healed, but also atonement is made for his sin. James' instructions about healing also promised that the sins of the person healed would be forgiven when God raised him up.
However Paul’s epistles about healing is II Corinthians 12 quoted earlier. In that passage Paul did none of the things that James instructs. He did not call for the elders of the church, he was not anointed with oil, and he was not raised up. Not only did Paul not follow the instruction of James for himself, he also did not recommend it to other members of the Body of Christ.

　
When Timothy suffered an infirmity in the flesh, Paul recommended medicine.

1 Timothy 5:23
23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.
NKJV

When Trophimus, one of Paul's ministry partners, was sick, no anointing or prayer for healing was ordered. Paul was forced to go on without him.
2 Timothy 4:20
20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.
NKJV

God gives no promise of physical healing for the Body of Christ through Paul as He did for Israel through James. In fact, Paul tells us that we must wait for the redemption of our bodies. (See Romans 8:22-25)

When we rightly divide the Word of Truth, the conflict between Jame's and Paul's instructions concerning healing is easily resolved.

FHII said:

I enjoyed what you said about the differences in healing and prayer as well.

On the topic of healing: i don't know how strong your point is because Paul actually healed people with "aprons" and I think even his shadow. He also talks about the gift of healing. James on the other hand didn't actually heal anyone, but called for prayer. Whixh is ok.

Speaking of prayer, i notice Paul giving thanks in prayer several times. James mentions asking. Nothing wrong with that, but it is interesting.

But the things you discussed brought an interesting point out: Paul was more focused on spiritual things (allowing grace to cover sins of the flesh... Like homosexuality, for example) and James hardly mentioned anything spiritual. His epistle was great! Love it, but it is completely carnal in nature.

Thus, the war of the flesh and inward man. God even had preachers on both sides.

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You have been a friend on this forum and I thank you for it. May God bless you.

I am leaving the forum since I can not state my faith, my belief, and my trust. I am sure some will be glad of it. They will never be able to see anything in scriptures except what they have been taught by their traditions.

I think Jesus said this same thing.

Take care.

Mark 7:9

9 He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
NKJV

Administrator said:

H. Richard,

No one said you could not state your belief, But your calling Mainstream Christianity all lairs and wrong will not be tolerated. Hope you see the difference.

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But I am supposed to tolerate your calling what I say being a lie and heretical, right?

What I see is that your attitude of the heart is the same as those that stoned Stephens. I think it is summed up in "religious zeal"

lforrest said:

Are you going to defend your position, or will you continue to embarrass yourself by your arrogance? Your comparing yourself to the martyr Stephen because you are offended. Stephen wasn't offended, he was stoned to death.

It is no one's intention to offend you, but the truth about your heresies needs to be pointed out. Your even given a place to defend your beliefs, and you did a better job of it in other topics.

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How about this?

Elijah said;
1 Kings 19:14
14 And he said, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life."
NKJV

God replied;
1 Kings 19:18
18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."
NKJV

Since there were a few million Jews in Israel it means only a remnant were people of God. And it is the same today.

Christian is the label that people apply to the many denominations The people in the Christian churches think that since there are millions in their Christian Church most all of them will be saved. But I think that is because they have been blinded to the true Gospel of Grace that Jesus gave to Paul and continually blend in the scriptures and books that are addressed to those who were not under grace.

And why do they do that. Isn’t it that Satan does not want people to see the truth?

Defend myself. Who puts me in that position and why do I have to do it? Who put Jesus in that position? Wasn't it the religious. O'Well, really I don't have to do it. God is the judge between us.

Most here do not fear God. Since I have proved over and over again that I am a child of God by my faith, trust, in His work on the cross some here will go so far as to say I am blaspheming God. Just as they said about Jesus. So you can say I know the spirit that is in many hearts on this forum and I talk about it. Those that think I am talking about them convict themselves.

Since most all of you on this forum are against me because I show who you are. I see no reason to continue in a conversation with them.

lforrest said:

But in Acts 19:8 "8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God."
So why should Paul "argue persuasively" but not you? Surely this place is comparable to a synagogue in your mind.

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Acts 18:4-6
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them,"Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.
NKJV

Dcopymope said:

I really don't understand the problem that some people seem to have with the OP's interpretation of salvation as described by Paul and James. Just because there is a difference between the two doesn't make it a contradiction, and H. Richard did a fantastic job demonstrating this fact. Galatians chapter 3 is another chapter that pretty much sums up the doctrine of salvation by grace and not by the works of the law. If our salvation is not justified by faith alone, then that makes Jesus a liar when he made the promise to the thief on the cross that on that same day he shall be with him in the kingdom of God, which sums up the entire message of the Gospel in a nutshell, because the thief was not promised salvation by his good works, but because he believed in Jesus as Lord and Savior. And like I said before, if salvation is not by faith alone, then denounce Jesus right now, become a Jew, or a Hebrew Israelite and follow the Mount Sinai covenant because you clearly don't really believe Jesus when he said, "IT IS FINISHED".

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RIGHT ON!!!! Good post

kerwin said:

H.Richard,

The most serious area of disagreement between James and Paul is their explanation of salvation. James indicates that good works must be added to faith to produce salvation.

James and Paul do not disagree but people find their teaching hard to understand.

Paul is addressing those that believe the works of the flesh were necessary to obtain salvation while James was addressing those that believe no works at all are necessary. If you read Paul's letter to the Galatians then in chapter 5 you will learn that there are both the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. Paul explicitly states those [Christians] that walk according to the works of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God. James is speaking of faith that gives birth to works. To a Christian that means that faith will give birth to them bearing the fruits of the Spirit. No disagreement between the two except in the minds of those that through lack of knowledge or corruption misunderstand their message.

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It is hard or them to see because they do not believe the gospel of grace is without the works of the law. They continually mix the law with grace and destroy them both. They just can't believe that the gospel of grace replaced the gospel of law. Even though it is plainly shown in the Paul's writings.

Heb 7:17-19
17 For He testifies: "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."
18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,
19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
NKJV