Does James Contradict Paul?
Does James Contradict Paul? A Closer Look at Justification by Works
Conflicting Statements?
In James 2:24, the apostle writes:
“You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”
This statement has led many to conclude that justification before God involves works. However, this appears to contradict Paul’s clear teaching:
“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
—Romans 3:20
The tension between James and Paul has long been debated. Yet, the contradiction is only apparent when these verses are isolated from their respective contexts. A careful study of Paul’s argument in Romans, especially chapters 1–3, demonstrates a consistent rejection of justification by works.
Understanding the Broader Context of Romans
Romans chapters 1 through 3 form a single, sustained argument. Paul’s objective is to show that both Jews and Gentiles are equally guilty before God and in need of salvation. While Gentile depravity is outlined in Romans 1, chapters 2 and 3 shift focus to the Jews—those who possess the law but fail to keep it.
Paul carefully dismantles the assumption that mere possession of the law grants divine favor. He argues that having the law is meaningless without obedience (Romans 2:25), and that in fact, the Jews stand condemned by the very law in which they trust (Romans 2:17–23; 3:9–20).
What Does Romans 2:13 Mean?
“For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”
—Romans 2:13
This verse is often misunderstood as promoting justification by works. However, Paul is not teaching a new doctrine here. Rather, he is summarizing the legal principle found in the law itself:
“You shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them.”
—Leviticus 18:5
Paul is referencing the law’s own standard: life and acceptance are granted on the basis of obedience. This statement forms the basis of the Jewish approach to justification. But Paul’s intent in Romans 2 is not to affirm this principle as a path to salvation; instead, he is using it to show that no one meets its demands.
This becomes clearer in Galatians 3:11–12:
“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.”
Here, Paul contrasts faith and law. The law requires doing; the Gospel offers life through believing. Thus, Paul’s reference to “the doers of the law” in Romans 2:13 is a rhetorical strategy aimed at showing the futility of justification through law-keeping.
Paul’s Argument Summarized
Paul is saying: “The law promises life to those who do it. But you, who boast in the law, do not keep it. Therefore, you are as condemned as the Gentiles.” His goal is to level the ground—no one is justified by the law because no one truly fulfills it.
“Behold, you are called a Jew, and rest in the law... You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say a man should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?”
—Romans 2:17, 22
Such questions expose the inconsistency between Jewish self-confidence and their actual behavior. Paul is not exalting law-keeping as a means of justification; he is exposing the universal need for grace.
What About James?
James is not teaching that people earn salvation by doing good works. Instead, he is emphasizing that true faith must produce visible results. His audience included those who claimed to believe in God, but their lives showed no real change.
This is why James wrote:
“Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26)
James is pointing out that genuine faith will always lead to obedience and good actions. If a person says they believe, but their life shows no evidence of that faith, then their faith is not real—it is dead and useless.
So when James says a person is "justified by works," he means their faith is proven to be real by what they do—not that they are saved because of what they do. This does not contradict Paul, who teaches that salvation comes by faith alone. Instead, James complements Paul by explaining what real, saving faith looks like in practice.
Conclusion
Paul and James do not contradict each other. Paul teaches that justification before God is by faith apart from works of the law. James teaches that true faith, once received, will inevitably produce good works. Paul addresses the means of justification; James addresses its evidence.
Careful reading and attention to context dispel the notion of conflict. Paul does not teach justification by law-keeping in Romans 2:13. Instead, he highlights the failure of all humanity—Jew and Gentile alike—and prepares the reader for the solution found in Jesus Christ.
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
—Romans 3:28