Ahhh… I love this verse… And I think it is absolutely hilarious when some branches of Protestants use this verse to ‘prove’ faith alone…
Apparently, you do not love it enough.
For those not familiar with the surrounding versus… Paul is comparing works of the old Jewish law with faith in Christ.
In Other words, this is a verse talking about having faith and NOT submitting yourself to the Old Law… (things like not eating certain meats… Color of priestly garments, celebrations… etc)
It is a reiteration of when we are told He who submits himself to part of the law submits himself to all of the law and Christs sacrifice amounts to nothing…
For those not familiar with Abraham and the book of Romans.
The Law did not exist in Abraham’s time! The works Paul speaks of could not possibly be Jewish cerimonial and diets laws. They did not exist!
Rom 4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Paul’s meaning of works encompasses ALL works, including old Jewish law and works of righteousness (good works)
Rom 9:11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not
done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, **not because of works **but because of Him who calls,
Paul is talking about good works and bad works(sin), ALL works, not just Jewish Law
Romans 4:16. “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace”.
How can works fit into a promise?
Works turn Grace (unmerited favor) into earned wages. It is no longer a gift, but payment.
Rom 11:5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.
6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
It’s one or the other, not both! You cannot mix unmerited favor with works! It no longer becomes a gift when merit is earned, it becomes payment.
Titus 3:5 He saved us,
not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
Paul is certainly not talking about the old Jewish law to Titus!
John 6:28-29 “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” **“This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent” **
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves,
it is the gift of God; 9 not
as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
1 Pet 1:5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5
who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
How can I be justified if NOT doing those works… the right thing… results in sin…
You do not understand the legal nature of Justification.
**Phil. 3:9, “and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.” **
