Reconciling Romans 4:2 with James 2:24
Romans 4:2 says:
“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.”
James 2:24 says:
“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”
Romans 4:2 implies that we are not justified by works before God.
Yet, James 2:24 says we are justified by works and not faith alone.
Romans 5:1 makes it clear we are justified by faith.
Romans 5:1 says:
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
So what about Romans 4:2 and James 2:24?
Well, I believe Romans 4:2 is referring to how one may seek to be falsely justified by works ALONE without God’s grace through faith (a belief in Jesus as the Savior, and believing the gospel message mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 for salvation).
I say this because Paul asks in Romans 3:1, “what profit is there of circumcision?”
Why would Paul say this?
Well, at the Jerusalem council, the apostles addressed the problem that the Gentile Christians faced involving certain Jews who tried to convince them to be circumcised in order to be saved.
Acts of the Apostles 15:1
“And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
Acts of the Apostles 15:5
“But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
Acts of the Apostles 15:24
“Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:”
This is why Paul also said:
Galatians 5:2
“Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.”
It wasn’t that circumcision was exactly wrong because Paul had Timothy circumcised (Acts of the Apostles 16:3). The issue was whether one was being circumcised for the purpose of salvation (See again: Acts of the Apostles 15:1). For if a person thought they had to first be circumcised in order to be initially saved, they would be making a Law or work the basis for their salvation and not God’s grace through faith in the Savior (which is a process of salvation without the deeds of the law).
This is why Romans 4:9-12 makes a point about when was faith reckoned for righteousness. Was this faith reckoned for righteousness in circumcision or uncircumcision? The point here is that we are first saved by God’s grace and faith is reckoned for righteousness and not by circumcision.
James 2:24 is not referring to being justified by works ALONE without faith or without God’s grace. James 2:24 is describing being justified by works after a believer already has been justified or saved by God’s grace through faith in the Savior Jesus Christ. For faith without works is dead (James 2:17). James 2:24 is showing us what happens AFTER we are saved by God’s grace. James 2:24 is talking about the Sanctification Process that follows being saved by God’s grace through faith. Romans 4:2 is condemning the idea of being justified by Works ALONE (with no grace or faith in being initially saved). Paul mentions this in Romans 4:2 because of the heresy of those who thought they had to first be circumcised in order to be initially saved (See again: Acts of the Apostles 15:1).
Romans 4:2 says:
“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.”
James 2:24 says:
“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”
Romans 4:2 implies that we are not justified by works before God.
Yet, James 2:24 says we are justified by works and not faith alone.
Romans 5:1 makes it clear we are justified by faith.
Romans 5:1 says:
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
So what about Romans 4:2 and James 2:24?
Well, I believe Romans 4:2 is referring to how one may seek to be falsely justified by works ALONE without God’s grace through faith (a belief in Jesus as the Savior, and believing the gospel message mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 for salvation).
I say this because Paul asks in Romans 3:1, “what profit is there of circumcision?”
Why would Paul say this?
Well, at the Jerusalem council, the apostles addressed the problem that the Gentile Christians faced involving certain Jews who tried to convince them to be circumcised in order to be saved.
Acts of the Apostles 15:1
“And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
Acts of the Apostles 15:5
“But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
Acts of the Apostles 15:24
“Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:”
This is why Paul also said:
Galatians 5:2
“Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.”
It wasn’t that circumcision was exactly wrong because Paul had Timothy circumcised (Acts of the Apostles 16:3). The issue was whether one was being circumcised for the purpose of salvation (See again: Acts of the Apostles 15:1). For if a person thought they had to first be circumcised in order to be initially saved, they would be making a Law or work the basis for their salvation and not God’s grace through faith in the Savior (which is a process of salvation without the deeds of the law).
This is why Romans 4:9-12 makes a point about when was faith reckoned for righteousness. Was this faith reckoned for righteousness in circumcision or uncircumcision? The point here is that we are first saved by God’s grace and faith is reckoned for righteousness and not by circumcision.
James 2:24 is not referring to being justified by works ALONE without faith or without God’s grace. James 2:24 is describing being justified by works after a believer already has been justified or saved by God’s grace through faith in the Savior Jesus Christ. For faith without works is dead (James 2:17). James 2:24 is showing us what happens AFTER we are saved by God’s grace. James 2:24 is talking about the Sanctification Process that follows being saved by God’s grace through faith. Romans 4:2 is condemning the idea of being justified by Works ALONE (with no grace or faith in being initially saved). Paul mentions this in Romans 4:2 because of the heresy of those who thought they had to first be circumcised in order to be initially saved (See again: Acts of the Apostles 15:1).
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