I received a call from a reader about the word "works" in James 2:17. He said he thought the word was mistranslated because it contradicts what Paul said in Romans.
We read in Rom. 3:27-28: "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works [ergon]? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." Paul is making a comparison here between the law of Moses, which was abolished at the cross, and the law of faith in Christ, which is the gospel. If a man could live a perfect life he would have grounds for boasting that he had always done the right thing. But the Bible teaches that "all have sinned" (Rom.3:23). As we read a few verses down, Paul continues to talk about the same type of works in chapter four: "For if Abraham were justified by works [ergon], he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom 4:2-5).
Paul in chapter 1:16, states that "gospel...is the power of God unto salvation." There is no other power to save. If one is not saved by the gospel, he is not saved at all.
The word "work" in these verses is translated from the Greek ergon, and is defined: "to work or toil, deed, doing, labor." In James 2:17-26, the word "works" is used eleven times. Every time it is used it is translated from the Greek ergon. There is no mistranslating here if it is properly translated in Romans. James is teaching in these verses that there is a work that is required in order for one to be saved. So he is teaching in verse 17 that if one is saved by "faith only" as some teach, then that person is saved by a dead faith! Who can believe? Note what he said: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
We must conclude, since both Paul and James were inspired writers that there are two kinds of works involved. Paul was comparing meritorious works to the "law of faith" or the gospel system of faith. Without that gospel there could be no faith today because we read in Rom. 10:17: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Paul teaches that meritorious works are excluded. But James teaches that there is a work that must be done in order to be saved. "Ye see then how that by works [ergon] a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:24).
Paul instructs in I Cor. 15:58 that we are to always abound "in the work [ergon] of the Lord." We are not saved "of works [ergon], lest any man should boast [works of merit]. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works [ergon]" (Eph. 2:9-10). In Rev. 20:12-13 we read: "And they were judged every man according to their works [ergon]." It is not possible that one is saved by "faith without works."
There is no mistranslating of the Greek word "ergon" in James when it is translated "works."
"If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet. 4:11)
Don H. Noblin
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