Is Salvation by Faith Alone, or Faith Plus Works?
The question of whether salvation comes by faith alone or by faith plus works has stirred Christians for centuries. On the one hand, the Bible insists that salvation is a free gift of grace, not something earned by human effort. On the other, Scripture also insists that genuine faith produces good works, and that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). The truth is not a contradiction but a biblical tension: salvation is by grace through faith, yet real faith always shows itself in works.
1. Salvation Is Not Earned by Works
The Apostle Paul states this clearly in Ephesians 2:8–9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Salvation is not something achieved by merit, effort, or law-keeping. It is God’s initiative from beginning to end, grounded in Christ’s death and resurrection.
Romans 3:28 echoes this: “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” In other words, we are declared righteous before God by trusting in Christ alone, not by anything we do.
2. The Place of Good Works in Salvation
Yet Paul does not dismiss good works. In fact, the very next verse after Ephesians 2:8–9 declares: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Works do not save us, but we are saved for works.
James highlights this reality with strong words: “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). By “works,” James means tangible acts of obedience and love that flow from genuine faith. He is not contradicting Paul, but emphasizing that faith must be alive, not empty words. This is ultimately a concern of the Ordo Salutis or Order of Salvation.
3. Paul and James: Different Questions, Same Gospel
It helps to recognize that Paul and James are addressing different issues:
Paul is asking, How is a sinner justified before God? His answer: by grace through faith alone, not by works of the law.
James is asking, What does real faith look like? His answer: it is demonstrated by works; otherwise, it is dead and useless.
These two perspectives are complementary. Paul guards against legalism (trusting in works to save), while James guards against hypocrisy (claiming faith without obedience).
4. Faith and Works Held Together in Christ
John Calvin summarized it well: “Faith alone justifies, but the faith that justifies is never alone.” In other words:
Faith is the instrument by which we are justified.
Works are the inevitable fruit of that justification.
The New Testament never separates justification (being declared righteous in Christ) from sanctification (being transformed into Christ’s likeness). Both come together as part of union with Christ. We are justified not through works, but we cannot share in Christ without also being renewed for good works.
5. What This Means for Believers
This truth should produce two responses in Christians:
Gratitude and assurance: Our salvation rests in Christ’s finished work, not in our imperfect efforts.
Self-examination and growth: True faith cannot remain idle. As Jesus said, “By their fruits you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16).
A living faith expresses itself in love, obedience, and service. Works are never the root of salvation, but they are always its fruit.
Conclusion
So is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works? The Bible’s answer is clear: salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Yet the faith that saves is never alone—it is always accompanied by works as the evidence of its reality. Paul and James are not in conflict but in harmony, addressing two sides of the same truth. We are justified apart from works, but never apart from the works that faith inevitably produces.
Bible Verses on Faith and Works
Ephesians 2:8–10 — “For by grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works… For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…”
Romans 3:28 — “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”
James 2:17 — “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
James 2:26 — “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”
Romans 4:5 — “And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.”
Galatians 5:6 — “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.”
Matthew 7:16 — “You will recognize them by their fruits.”
Philippians 2:12–13 — “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Titus 3:5 — “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy…”
Hebrews 11:6 — “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
