One book I read claimed that the meaning of "faith" according to the book of James is different than "faith" according to Paul in Romans. How should I think about that? -- Pierre Smedev
James and Paul are discussing different things. James is discussing lifestyle faith, an active commitment to the Lord. He argues that empty faith is not a saving faith--just as Jesus, John, Peter, and all the other New Testament writers insisted. That's why in James 2:24 he can say that we are justified by what we do, and not by faith alone. Faith and actions work together, James says, just as they did in the lives of Abraham and Rahab.
On the other hand, in Romans Paul is discussing foundational faith, the basis of our salvation. He reminds us that there's nothing we can do to earn our salvation. (What an urgent message today!) Putting the two together, we may say that faith is what justifies us. Yet "faith" devoid of trust and commitment is really no faith at all. Beware of writers who say that James and Paul disagreed with each another; they did not. No one is justified by dead faith.
This article is copyrighted and is for private use and study only.
