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A good Protestant response to James 2:24 might be Romans 3:28, which reads, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without (or apart from) the deeds of the law.”  Some translations read “works of the law.”  At first this seems to be in contradiction to James 2:24, but as God’s Word cannot contradict itself, someone must be getting something wrong.  Let’s read the next two verses: “Is He the God of the Jews only?  Is He not also of the Gentiles?  Yes, of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.”

A good Protestant response to James 2:24 might be Romans 3:28, which reads, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without (or apart from) the deeds of the law.”  Some translations read “works of the law.”  At first this seems to be in contradiction to James 2:24, but as God’s Word cannot contradict itself, someone must be getting something wrong.  Let’s read the next two verses: “Is He the God of the Jews only?  Is He not also of the Gentiles?  Yes, of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.”

The mention of Jews and circumcision makes it clear that St. Paul is not referring to good works as James is, but rather the observation of the Mosaic Law.  St. Paul is saying that Gentiles can be justified along with Jews, without accepting and submitting themselves to the Jewish traditions.  This makes perfect sense, because St. Paul is always known as the Apostle to the Gentiles.  St. Paul always argued with the Jewish Christians when they insisted that Gentile Christians had to observe the Law.  Yes, St. Paul says that we are justified by faith, but he does not say that we are justified by faith alone.  He contrasts faith with observance of the Law, and remains silent on the subject of good works.  James 2:24 fills in this silence.

The mention of Jews and circumcision makes it clear that St. Paul is not referring to good works as James is, but rather the observation of the Mosaic Law.  St. Paul is saying that Gentiles can be justified along with Jews, without accepting and submitting themselves to the Jewish traditions.  This makes perfect sense, because St. Paul is always known as the Apostle to the Gentiles.  St. Paul always argued with the Jewish Christians when they insisted that Gentile Christians had to observe the Law.  Yes, St. Paul says that we are justified by faith, but he does ''not'' say that we are justified by faith alone.  He contrasts faith with observance of the Law, and remains silent on the subject of good works.  James 2:24 fills in this silence.

The apparent conflict between James 2:24 and Romans 3:28-30 is resolved in favor of the faith and works position.  But we are not nearly done; let’s look at some more verses.

The apparent conflict between James 2:24 and Romans 3:28-30 is resolved in favor of the faith and works position.  But we are not nearly done; let’s look at some more verses.