No. I'm not suggesting that at all. The meaning of 'justified' Paul is talking about is 'to be made righteous'. The meaning of 'justified' James is talking about is 'to be shown to be righteous'. Two different aspects of justification. Which is why I wish Protestants and Catholics would stop referring to Paul's justification by faith apart from works ("righteousness apart from works" Romans 4:6) using James 'faith alone' phrase associated with the different definition of 'justified' that he is talking about. They are not the same.
Paul: A man is justified (MADE righteous) by faith apart from works.
James: A man is justified (SHOWN to be righteous) by his works.
Two very different arguments.
justify
May I?
James created a bit of a problem with the word JUSTIFICATION.
They didn't know (the writers) that we'd be arguing about WORDS 2,000 years hence or they would have been more careful.
James did NOT mean that man is shown to be justified by his works. But I'm not even really sure what you mean.
Some say that we are justified before God as a legal action by Him,,,but our works are a sign to others that we are justified - James' version.
Is this what you're saying?
Let's get straight that Justification means a one time event that makes us become reconciled with God and He declares us not guilty.
What James is talking about is Sanctification...this is an ongoing process that lasts our entire life and this is where works/good deeds come into play.
I know works is a really bad word these days, and I do believe
@Behold dislikes this word, however the NT does admonish us to do good deeds after we become saved.
It's not enough not to be bad...
It's necessary to be good.