Revisiting Faith and Works: Understanding Justification in James 2:24 and Romans 4:2

By - Pastor Freddy Cortez, National Capital Bible Church

Original Explanation by Zane Hodges

Romans 4:2 - Justification Before God

"For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God." -Romans 4:2

From a strong Free Grace perspective, Romans 4:2 establishes the foundation of justification before God as being solely by faith, apart from any human effort. Paul makes it clear that if Abraham were justified by works, he would have a basis for boasting. However, Paul immediately shuts down that possibility by stating that no one can boast before God (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9).

Abraham was declared righteous in Genesis 15:6 when he believed God’s promise. This was long before he offered Isaac on the altar (Genesis 22). If justification before God depended on works, then Abraham’s righteousness would have been incomplete at the moment of faith. However, Scripture is clear that righteousness is imputed solely based on faith in God’s provision, not in any form of human obedience. Free Grace theology rightly affirms that justification is a judicial act of God, irrevocably declaring the believer righteous the moment they believe in Christ (John 5:24; Romans 8:33).

James 2:21-24 - Justification Before Men

"Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?" -James 2:21

James' argument is frequently misinterpreted by those who fail to distinguish between two types of justification. A proper understanding, from a Free Grace perspective, recognizes that James is not contradicting Paul but rather discussing a separate aspect of justification—justification before men.

James does not deny that Abraham was justified before God by faith alone (Genesis 15:6). Instead, he highlights that Abraham’s later actions (offering Isaac in Genesis 22) publicly demonstrated his faith. This does not mean Abraham’s faith was insufficient before this point, but that his faith, already present, was now evidenced outwardly. The Greek structure of James 2:24, particularly the placement of μόνον (monon), clarifies that James is not denying justification by faith alone before God. Rather, he is emphasizing that faith, should result in visible acts of obedience, which serve as a witness to others.

Illustrating the Grammar of Monon in English

Many assume James is refuting justification by faith alone, but this assumption is grammatically incorrect. In Greek, μόνον (monon) is an adverb modifying the verb δικαιοῦται (dikaioûtai). As such, it takes the same form as it would if it were a neuter singular adjective. However, it clearly cannot be an adjective modifying πίστις (pistis), because πίστις is feminine.

This means James 2:24 does not deny justification by faith alone before God; rather, it highlights the necessity of works as evidence of faith before men. The demonstrative aspect of justification—how faith is revealed outwardly—is James’ focus, not the means of receiving eternal life. James and Paul are not in conflict; they are addressing different aspects of justification.

To illustrate this in English:

• Incorrect assumption (if monon were modifying "faith"): 
  "She is not wearing a blue dress only." 

  • This suggests she is wearing something in addition to the blue dress.

• Correct understanding (monon modifying the verb, as in James 2:24): 
  "She is not wearing only a blue dress." 

• This shifts the focus to the verb wearing, meaning she is not only wearing a dress but possibly accessories as well.

Likewise, James is asserting that a person is not only justified before God (by faith) but also justified before men (by works that demonstrate faith). This clarification eliminates the misconception that James teaches justification by faith plus works. Instead, it affirms that true faith, though sufficient for eternal life, is made evident by works before others.

Two Types of Justification: Reconciling Paul and James

From a Free Grace perspective, understanding the dual aspects of justification is essential to avoiding confusion between Paul and James.

• Justification by faith (before God): Paul teaches that salvation is a free gift received by faith alone, apart from works (Romans 3:28, Ephesians 2:8-9). Justification before God is a one-time legal declaration, based solely on faith in Christ.

• Justification by works (before men): James emphasizes that faith must be demonstrated outwardly by works (James 2:17-18). Works do not contribute to salvation but serve as evidence of faith to the watching world. Abraham’s act of offering Isaac (Genesis 22) did not contribute to his eternal salvation but proved the reality of his faith before others.

The Free Grace position makes a necessary distinction between justification as a positional reality before God and justification as a practical validation of faith before men. By understanding μόνον correctly, we avoid the error of inserting works into salvation, preserving the doctrine of grace while upholding the importance of discipleship.

Conclusion: Faith That Works

The Free Grace perspective upholds a clear distinction between salvation and discipleship. Paul and James address different aspects of justification:

1. Paul speaks of how we are declared righteous before God—by faith alone.

2. James speaks of how we prove our righteousness before others—by works that stem from faith.

A faith that does not result in works is still faith, but it is a nonfunctional or 'dead' faith in terms of usefulness (James 2:26). This does not mean the individual is unsaved but rather that their faith lacks outward expression.

Works do not save; they merely demonstrate the faith that does. By maintaining this distinction, we avoid the error of confusing justification before God with practical righteousness before men. This perspective preserves the biblical balance between salvation by grace alone and the call to live out our faith in a way that brings glory to God (Titus 3:8).

This post was written by Pastor Freddy Cortez of National Capital Bible Church. If you have questions about this post or Christianity in general, please contact us today!