Lesson 2 · 13 min
Faith and Works: Are We Saved by Faith Alone?
Examining sola fide against James 2, Paul's teaching on obedient faith, and the early Church's understanding of justification.
Introduction
What this is
A coworker tells you, 'Once you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, your works have nothing to do with salvation — that's what Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches.' You want to respond with charity and precision.
Why it matters
Justification is the doctrine at the heart of the Reformation divide; understanding James 2:24 alongside Ephesians 2:8-9 shows how Catholic teaching harmonizes the whole of Scripture rather than isolating a favorite verse.
What Sola Fide Claims
Sola fide teaches that a person is justified by faith alone, apart from any works, and that good works are merely the fruit — never the instrument or cause — of a salvation already fully secured. Luther famously (and controversially) inserted the word 'alone' into his German translation of Romans 3:28, though the Greek text simply reads 'justified by faith apart from works of the law.' The Catholic Church teaches instead that justification is a real, transformative work of grace that begins in faith but is inseparable from charity and obedience (CCC 1987-1995), following Galatians 5:6: 'faith, which worketh by charity.'
James 2: Faith Without Works Is Dead
St. James addresses this question directly: 'What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him?' (James 2:14). He concludes emphatically: 'you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith only' (James 2:24) — the only verse in the entire Bible that uses the precise phrase 'faith only,' and it explicitly denies sola fide. James even cites Abraham, the very figure Paul uses to teach justification by faith (Romans 4), showing that Abraham's faith 'wrought with his works, and by works faith was made perfect' (James 2:22). Far from contradicting Paul, James clarifies that the faith which justifies is always a living, working faith, not mere intellectual assent — 'the devils also believe and tremble' (James 2:19).
Paul's Own Teaching on Judgment by Deeds
Paul, whom sola fide advocates cite most, also teaches that God 'will render to every man according to his works' (Romans 2:6), and that 'if I should have all faith... and have not charity, I am nothing' (1 Corinthians 13:2). When Paul denies justification 'by works of the law,' he is refuting the idea that observing Mosaic ceremonial requirements like circumcision earns salvation apart from Christ, not denying that grace-empowered obedience matters. Ephesians 2:8-9 itself is immediately followed by verse 10: 'we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which God hath prepared that we should walk in them' — works are the purpose for which grace saves us, not something opposed to grace.
The Council of Trent and the Early Church
The Council of Trent (Session VI, 1547) taught that justification is not a mere legal declaration but an interior renewal by grace, received through faith and cooperating freely with charity, and that this justification can be increased through good works done in grace (cf. CCC 2010). This reflects the consistent early Christian view: St. Clement of Rome, writing around AD 96, says we are justified 'by faith,' yet in the very next breath urges the Corinthians toward 'every good work' as essential to the Christian life (1 Clement 30-33). St. Polycarp likewise wrote that 'he who raised him up from the dead will raise up us also, if we do his will' (Letter to the Philippians 2), tying resurrection hope directly to obedience, not faith in isolation from a transformed life.
Knowledge check
Answer each item, then read why the answer is correct.
Which verse contains the only biblical use of the exact phrase 'faith only'?
True or False: When Paul denies justification by 'works of the law,' he means grace-empowered acts of charity have no bearing on salvation.
Match each passage to its teaching.
Match each item to its pair.
Which verse immediately follows 'by grace you are saved through faith... not of works' and clarifies that we are saved unto good works?
Explain how James 2 and Ephesians 2 can be harmonized rather than contradicting each other.
Apologetics practice
Choose the response you would give, then see how it holds up.
Objection
“"Ephesians 2:8-9 says we're saved by grace through faith, not of works, so works have nothing to do with salvation."”
Objection
“"If Catholics believe works are necessary for salvation, aren't you just trying to earn your way to heaven, denying the sufficiency of the cross?"”
Key points
- James 2:24 is the only verse using the phrase 'faith only' — and it denies sola fide.
- Ephesians 2:10 follows 2:8-9 immediately: we are saved unto good works, not apart from them.
- Paul denies justification by 'works of the law' (Mosaic ceremonial law), not grace-empowered obedience.
- The Council of Trent teaches justification as real interior transformation, not mere legal declaration.
Lesson summary
Main points
- James 2:24 explicitly denies justification by 'faith only.'
- Ephesians 2:10 shows good works are the purpose, not the opposite, of grace.
- Paul's 'works of the law' refers to Mosaic ceremonial law, not grace-empowered charity.
Important verses
James 2:14-24 · Ephesians 2:8-10 · Galatians 5:6
Important quotations
“Let us clothe ourselves with concord... being justified by our works, and not our words.”
St. Clement of Rome — 1 Clement 30-33 (c. AD 96)
“He who raised him up from the dead will raise us up also, if we do his will.”
St. Polycarp of Smyrna — Letter to the Philippians 2 (c. AD 110)
Quick defense answer
James 2:24 is the only verse using the phrase 'faith only' — and it denies it. Ephesians 2:10 immediately follows 'not of works' by saying we are saved unto good works God prepared for us; grace and works are not opposed but united.