Justified by Works

[GracePeace]

The fact you could not give a simple no to the question really doesn't speak well of you. The NT is the new covenant. And, it is repeatedly stated in the NT faith in Christ is a believers righteousness. To want to go elsewhere, instead of simply agreeing, really is not advisabl

Nope, I don't agree that mere faith in Christ is the basis of justification, because that idea is not the whole story, just part of it.

I'll copy paste the OP as my explanation :

Walking by faith is not "works".

"Works" is "a righteousness of my own"; walking in faith is God's righteousness (Ro 1:17; 14:5,23).
"I was abundant in labors above them all, yet, not I, but the grace with me."
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."
"[Christ] came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near."
Since walking in faith is not "a righteousness of my own", but God's, justification thereby is "grace" not "works".
Faith is counted as righteousness--but it is God's righteousness we enter.
Jeremiah 23:6 says one of Jesus's Names will be "God Is Our Righteousness".
So, walking by faith fulfills the Law, and is justification by God's righteousness (Ro 2:6-16,26,27; 8:4).
Also, the believer who does not walk in faith is "condemned" (Ro 14:23).

When the Galatians believed a false Gospel of "works", what was Paul's solution?
Was it "believe in Christ alone"? No.
Instead, he instructs them to serve one another by faith working through love.
So, it's obvious Paul didn't believe in "faith alone", but "walking in faith" also.

Then, what's the difference between being under Law and serving others by faith?
Doesn't the Law also tell you to love your neighbor?

The Law directs attention to self, Grace directs attention to Christ.
The Law directs attention to self to condemn self's sinfulness.
Looking to the Law/self is turning from Christ; looking to Christ is turning from the Law/self.
Grace : "For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God."
Law : "You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ..."
Whose righteousness you have depends on who you behold/trust--self or Christ.
To serve others by faith Christ authors differs from Law, therefore.

Consider : Paul "anathematizes" preachers of Circumcision (Ga 5:11).
However, he had Timothy circumcised, yet was not an "accursed" false teacher.
Why? Because Paul did it "because of the Jews in the region".
Paul was serving the Jews, trying to open a door leading to their salvation.
Paul abode with Christ, and sought to bring others to Christ.
Paul's circumcising Timothy proceeded from Christ for the Jews' salvation.
Paul focused on God, and sought to prove God's goodness, not self.
Paul loved God, not himself, because God loved him first.

Thus, what makes something a "work", one's own righteousness, is who performs it.
Walking by faith is God performing the righteousness to reveal Himself.
"Yet not I but the grace with me."
Walking in faith is looking to Christ, not self--God's righteousness, not our works.

Therefore, again, justification by walking in faith is "grace" not "works".
James taught so.

Paul calls marriage or celibacy "each man's gift".
So, a man's marrying or celibacy is his walking in faith, his "gift" of grace.
Walking in faith is "the gift of righteousness"--not our works, but God's.

So, Ro 2 can say "doers of the Law will be justified" without violating "justified by grace".
The Gentile believers who walk in God's righteousness by grace are "doers of the Law".
They will be justified--walking by faith is not a righteousness of one's own, but God's.

"New Perspectivists" argue "works" refers to Jewish laws (eg, circumcision).
"We're not justified by Jewish practices," is their interpretation of "not by works".
That doesn't work : Ro 3 "by works of Law comes the knowledge of sin".
Yet : Ro 7:7 the fact that coveting is sinful becomes known by the Law.
So, "works of Law" encompasses the entirety of the Law's commands.
Not just unique laws to Jews (eg, circumcision)--all of the Law's demands.

Then how can we be justified by being "doers of the Law"?
Because the works that justify come from God, as a gift, for His glory, not self.
That's the difference--God's righteousness or man's righteousness.
"Works" is man's righteousness, grace through faith is God's righteousness.

So, yes, we are justified, as James says, by walking in faith--it's not a contradiction of "grace not works".
Paul uses "works" technically.
It seems James is correcting people who've misunderstood Paul.
It seems James uses "works" in a less technical way.

 

[GracePeace]

The fact you could not give a simple no to the question really doesn't speak well of you.

You immediately jumped to accusation instead of being understanding. Let's cool the conversation down, de-escalate.

 

[Johann]

You immediately jumped to accusation instead of being understanding. Let's cool the conversation down, de-escalate.

This thread shows potential-keep up the good "work" @GracePeace.

Here are 10 scripture references from the Pauline epistles where believers are encouraged to actively work out their faith, using the Greek verbs:

Philippians 2:12 – κατεργάζομαι (katergazomai)
1 Corinthians 9:24 – τρέχω (trechō)
1 Timothy 6:12 – ἀγωνίζομαι (agōnizomai)
2 Timothy 2:15 – σπουδάζω (spoudazō)
Colossians 3:23 – ἐργάζομαι (ergazomai)
Galatians 5:7 – τρέχω (trechō)
2 Corinthians 7:1 – ἐπιτελέω (epiteleō)
Ephesians 6:13 – ἀνθίστημι (anthistēmi)
Romans 12:11 – σπουδαῖος (spoudaios)
1 Corinthians 15:58 – περισσεύω (perisseuō)

J.

 

[GracePeace]

This thread shows potential-keep up the good "work" @GracePeace.

J.

Yeah, people get confused about this issue :

"If I'm not justified/saved by my good works, but God's grace through faith, surely nothing I do after being justified/saved by faith can contribute to my justification/salvation!"

They would do better to switch to thinking "I can't be justified by my own righteousness ("works"), but God's righteousness--which I remain in as I obey the Law of Faith, doing only what I'm fully persuaded is correct--justifies me ("grace through faith")."

 

[GracePeace]

This thread shows potential-keep up the good "work" @GracePeace.

Here are 10 scripture references from the Pauline epistles where believers are encouraged to actively work out their faith, using the Greek verbs:

Philippians 2:12 – κατεργάζομαι (katergazomai)
1 Corinthians 9:24 – τρέχω (trechō)
1 Timothy 6:12 – ἀγωνίζομαι (agōnizomai)
2 Timothy 2:15 – σπουδάζω (spoudazō)
Colossians 3:23 – ἐργάζομαι (ergazomai)
Galatians 5:7 – τρέχω (trechō)
2 Corinthians 7:1 – ἐπιτελέω (epiteleō)
Ephesians 6:13 – ἀνθίστημι (anthistēmi)
Romans 12:11 – σπουδαῖος (spoudaios)
1 Corinthians 15:58 – περισσεύω (perisseuō)

J.

And there is a reason: the Law of Faith extends into the walk.

 

[uncle silas]

Nope, I don't agree that mere faith in Christ is the basis of justification,

Bye

 

[Johann]

And there is a reason: the Law of Faith extends into the walk.

Many are talking the walk and not walking the talk-but I don't want to derail the thread.

Romans 3:27 – "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith."

Galatians 2:20 – "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

2 Corinthians 5:7 – "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Romans 1:17 – "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'"

Hebrews 10:38 – "Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

Galatians 5:6 – "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love."

Ephesians 2:8-10 – "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Romans 14:23 – "But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin."

Colossians 2:6-7 – "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."

James 2:17 – "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
These references show that faith is not just a moment of belief but continues into the daily walk, being actively lived out.

God bless @GodsGrace
J.

 

[GracePeace]

Bye

This is a forum for discussion. I assume I'll find views different from mine here.

 

[GracePeace]

Many are talking the walk and not walking the talk-but I don't want to derail the thread.
J.

Walking in faith (not qualifying as "works") is the topic lol

 

[Johann]

Walking in faith (not qualifying as "works") is the topic lol

Yes-"Justified by works"

Be prepared for vehement opposition-Matt 25 and James immediately comes to mind. Even our Lord Jesus was a style of life replete with good works and the early church in Acts.

I'll keep my eye on this thread as you are on to something, something that is sorely missed in the West.
Johann.

 

[GracePeace]

Yes-"Justified by works"

Be prepared for vehement opposition-Matt 25 and James immediately comes to mind. Even our Lord Jesus was a style of life replete with good works and the early church in Acts.

I'll keep my eye on this thread as you are on to something, something that is sorely missed in the West.
Johann.

Paul is hard to understand.
Taking a tiny strip of Scripture, "I'm not justified by 'works'", has led to a misunderstanding; saying, "I'm not justified by my own righteousness (which is what 'works' corresponds to), I'm justified by God's righteousness (which is what 'faith' corresponds to), by obeying the Law of Faith--Faith in the Name of God's Son, and then loving others (1 Jn 3:23)/faith in God Who justifies the ungodly (Ro 4), and, thereafter, having "steps of faith" like Abraham (Ro 4:12), remaining in faith (which works by love Gal 5; 1 Jn 3:23), by doing only what I am convinced is correct (Ro 14:5), abstaining from what I doubt is correct (which would result in my condemnation, not my justification, because of not abiding in God's righteousness by faith) (Ro 14:23)," it seems, clarifies the misunderstanding.

 

[Johann]

"I'm not justified by 'works'", has led to a misunderstanding; saying, "I'm not justified by my own righteousness (which is what 'works' corresponds to), I'm justified by God's righteousness (which is what 'faith' corresponds to), by obeying the Law of Faith--Faith in the Name of God's Son, and then loving others (1 Jn 3:23)/faith in God Who justifies the ungodly (Ro 4), and, thereafter, having "steps of faith" like Abraham (Ro 4:12), remaining in faith (which works by love Gal 5; 1 Jn 3:23) by doing only what I am convinced is correct (Ro 14:5), not what I doubt is correct (which would result in my condemnation, not my justification, because of not abiding in God's righteousness by faith) (Ro 14:23)," it seems, clarifies the misunderstanding.

Love your reasoning-

Core Idea: Clarification of “Not Justified by Works” Misunderstanding
The statement suggests that the misunderstanding stems from interpreting "works" as self-righteousness or human efforts to gain justification. The correction presented is that justification comes from God’s righteousness, which corresponds to faith. This faith is defined as obedience to the "Law of Faith" (Romans 3:27) and involves faith in Jesus Christ, love for others (1 John 3:23), and walking in ongoing faith, which manifests in good works motivated by love (Galatians 5:6).

1. Romans 4:5 – Faith, Not Works, Justifies the Ungodly
In Romans 4:5, Paul writes:

"To the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness."
Greek: Τῷ δὲ μὴ ἐργαζομένῳ, πιστεύοντι δὲ ἐπὶ τὸν δικαιοῦντα τὸν ἀσεβῆ, λογίζεται ἡ πίστις αὐτοῦ εἰς δικαιοσύνην.

ἐργαζομένῳ (ergazomenō, "works") refers to human effort, often contrasted with faith in Paul's writings.
πιστεύοντι (pisteuonti, "believes") signifies trust in God who justifies the ungodly. This faith is counted as righteousness.
Paul makes it clear that righteousness is credited to those who believe in God, not based on their own works, but on faith in God’s work through Christ.

2. Romans 3:27 – The Law of Faith
Romans 3:27 says:

"Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith."
Greek: Ποῦ οὖν ἡ καύχησις; ἐξεκλείσθη. Διὰ ποίου νόμου; τῶν ἔργων; οὐχί, ἀλλὰ διὰ νόμου πίστεως.

νόμος πίστεως (nomos pisteōs, "law of faith") is Paul's way of contrasting the principle of relying on faith instead of adhering to works of the Law.
Faith is not lawlessness but a new law under which justification is obtained—this "Law of Faith" governs the believer’s life.

3. Romans 4:12 – Steps of Faith like Abraham
Romans 4:12 speaks of those who walk in the footsteps of Abraham’s faith:

"And the father of circumcision to those who are not only of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised."
Greek: καὶ πατέρα περιτομῆς τοῖς οὐκ ἐκ περιτομῆς μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῖς στοιχοῦσι τοῖς ἴχνεσι τῆς ἐν ἀκροβυστίᾳ πίστεως τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ἀβραάμ.

ἴχνεσι (ichnesi, "steps") indicates that faith involves a walk or pattern of life. Faith is not static but active, following Abraham’s example.
Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness before any works (such as circumcision), and we are to follow that same path of faith.

4. Galatians 5:6 – Faith Working Through Love
Galatians 5:6 highlights:

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love."
Greek: Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ πίστις δι’ ἀγάπης ἐνεργουμένη.

πίστις δι’ ἀγάπης ἐνεργουμένη (pistis di’ agapēs energoumenē, "faith working through love") shows that true faith is evidenced by love.
Faith isn’t passive but actively expressed through loving actions, which are the fruit of faith.

5. Romans 14:23 – Acting by Conviction, Not Doubt
Romans 14:23 addresses the role of personal conviction in faith:

"But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin."
Greek: ὁ δὲ διακρινόμενος ἐὰν φάγῃ κατακέκριται, ὅτι οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως· πᾶν δὲ ὃ οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως ἁμαρτία ἐστίν.

πᾶν δὲ ὃ οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως (pan de ho ouk ek pisteōs, "whatever is not from faith") conveys that actions not rooted in faith lead to condemnation because they lack the grounding in God’s righteousness.

The believer is called to act in full conviction of their faith, knowing that doubting leads to sin and guilt.

Synthesis and Clarification:

Works and Faith: Paul consistently teaches that justification comes through faith in God’s provision—specifically faith in Jesus Christ. The Greek terms show that works (ἔργα) of the Law do not justify, but this does not mean believers remain passive. Instead, they are called to obey the Law of Faith, which involves trusting in God’s righteousness.

Ongoing Faith, not Passivity: Faith in Paul’s theology is not a one-time declaration but a walk, expressed in "steps of faith" (Romans 4:12), "working through love" (Galatians 5:6), and doing everything "from faith" (Romans 14:23). The Greek verbs such as ἔργα, πίστις, ἴχνεσι (steps), and ἐνεργουμένη (working) indicate a dynamic, active expression of faith that manifests in godly living.

God’s Righteousness: Justification, therefore, is based on God’s righteousness, not our own. This righteousness is credited to us by faith (Romans 4:5), but the outworking of that faith is love (Galatians 5:6) and actions in line with what one is convinced is right (Romans 14:5, 23).

Thus, the clarification offered in the argument is consistent with Paul’s teachings: believers are not justified by their own works of the Law, but by God’s righteousness through faith. However, this faith is not passive—it involves an active, obedient walk, characterized by love and conviction.

Shalom.
J.

 

[GracePeace]

Love your reasoning-

Core Idea: Clarification of “Not Justified by Works” Misunderstanding
The statement suggests that the misunderstanding stems from interpreting "works" as self-righteousness or human efforts to gain justification. The correction presented is that justification comes from God’s righteousness, which corresponds to faith. This faith is defined as obedience to the "Law of Faith" (Romans 3:27) and involves faith in Jesus Christ, love for others (1 John 3:23), and walking in ongoing faith, which manifests in good works motivated by love (Galatians 5:6).

1. Romans 4:5 – Faith, Not Works, Justifies the Ungodly
In Romans 4:5, Paul writes:

"To the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness."
Greek: Τῷ δὲ μὴ ἐργαζομένῳ, πιστεύοντι δὲ ἐπὶ τὸν δικαιοῦντα τὸν ἀσεβῆ, λογίζεται ἡ πίστις αὐτοῦ εἰς δικαιοσύνην.

ἐργαζομένῳ (ergazomenō, "works") refers to human effort, often contrasted with faith in Paul's writings.
πιστεύοντι (pisteuonti, "believes") signifies trust in God who justifies the ungodly. This faith is counted as righteousness.
Paul makes it clear that righteousness is credited to those who believe in God, not based on their own works, but on faith in God’s work through Christ.

2. Romans 3:27 – The Law of Faith
Romans 3:27 says:

"Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith."
Greek: Ποῦ οὖν ἡ καύχησις; ἐξεκλείσθη. Διὰ ποίου νόμου; τῶν ἔργων; οὐχί, ἀλλὰ διὰ νόμου πίστεως.

νόμος πίστεως (nomos pisteōs, "law of faith") is Paul's way of contrasting the principle of relying on faith instead of adhering to works of the Law.
Faith is not lawlessness but a new law under which justification is obtained—this "Law of Faith" governs the believer’s life.

3. Romans 4:12 – Steps of Faith like Abraham
Romans 4:12 speaks of those who walk in the footsteps of Abraham’s faith:

"And the father of circumcision to those who are not only of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised."
Greek: καὶ πατέρα περιτομῆς τοῖς οὐκ ἐκ περιτομῆς μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῖς στοιχοῦσι τοῖς ἴχνεσι τῆς ἐν ἀκροβυστίᾳ πίστεως τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ἀβραάμ.

ἴχνεσι (ichnesi, "steps") indicates that faith involves a walk or pattern of life. Faith is not static but active, following Abraham’s example.
Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness before any works (such as circumcision), and we are to follow that same path of faith.

4. Galatians 5:6 – Faith Working Through Love
Galatians 5:6 highlights:

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love."
Greek: Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ πίστις δι’ ἀγάπης ἐνεργουμένη.

πίστις δι’ ἀγάπης ἐνεργουμένη (pistis di’ agapēs energoumenē, "faith working through love") shows that true faith is evidenced by love.
Faith isn’t passive but actively expressed through loving actions, which are the fruit of faith.

5. Romans 14:23 – Acting by Conviction, Not Doubt
Romans 14:23 addresses the role of personal conviction in faith:

"But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin."
Greek: ὁ δὲ διακρινόμενος ἐὰν φάγῃ κατακέκριται, ὅτι οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως· πᾶν δὲ ὃ οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως ἁμαρτία ἐστίν.

πᾶν δὲ ὃ οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως (pan de ho ouk ek pisteōs, "whatever is not from faith") conveys that actions not rooted in faith lead to condemnation because they lack the grounding in God’s righteousness.

The believer is called to act in full conviction of their faith, knowing that doubting leads to sin and guilt.

Synthesis and Clarification:

Works and Faith: Paul consistently teaches that justification comes through faith in God’s provision—specifically faith in Jesus Christ. The Greek terms show that works (ἔργα) of the Law do not justify, but this does not mean believers remain passive. Instead, they are called to obey the Law of Faith, which involves trusting in God’s righteousness.

Ongoing Faith, not Passivity: Faith in Paul’s theology is not a one-time declaration but a walk, expressed in "steps of faith" (Romans 4:12), "working through love" (Galatians 5:6), and doing everything "from faith" (Romans 14:23). The Greek verbs such as ἔργα, πίστις, ἴχνεσι (steps), and ἐνεργουμένη (working) indicate a dynamic, active expression of faith that manifests in godly living.

God’s Righteousness: Justification, therefore, is based on God’s righteousness, not our own. This righteousness is credited to us by faith (Romans 4:5), but the outworking of that faith is love (Galatians 5:6) and actions in line with what one is convinced is right (Romans 14:5, 23).

Thus, the clarification offered in the argument is consistent with Paul’s teachings: believers are not justified by their own works of the Law, but by God’s righteousness through faith. However, this faith is not passive—it involves an active, obedient walk, characterized by love and conviction.

Shalom.
J.

Yes, "God's righteousness" doesn't count as "works", which word corresponds to "a righteousness of my own".
"My own righteousness from [knowledge of good and evil--of which "the Law" is but a species]" would lead people to focus on me and praise me as I boast of my goodness; "God's righteousness" says "Look to Me, all the ends of the earth". "God's righteousness" comes from God, and leads people to focus on God and praise God's glorious grace.

Thus, when only "doers of the law will be justified" (Ro 2:13), it is not a contradiction of "justified as a gift", because the righteousness is a "gift of righteousness"--and we see that Paul qualifies each man's walk as a "gift" (1 Co 7), so our manner of walking rightly is not "our own righteousness", but God's, as Paul says, "I was abundant in labors above them all, yet not I but the grace with me".

Moreover, God's righteousness comes from fellowship with Him so as to lead to fellowship with Him, "what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ."

 

[GracePeace]

Love your reasoning-

Core Idea: Clarification of “Not Justified by Works” Misunderstanding
The statement suggests that the misunderstanding stems from interpreting "works" as self-righteousness or human efforts to gain justification. The correction presented is that justification comes from God’s righteousness, which corresponds to faith. This faith is defined as obedience to the "Law of Faith" (Romans 3:27) and involves faith in Jesus Christ, love for others (1 John 3:23), and walking in ongoing faith, which manifests in good works motivated by love (Galatians 5:6).

1. Romans 4:5 – Faith, Not Works, Justifies the Ungodly
In Romans 4:5, Paul writes:

"To the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness."
Greek: Τῷ δὲ μὴ ἐργαζομένῳ, πιστεύοντι δὲ ἐπὶ τὸν δικαιοῦντα τὸν ἀσεβῆ, λογίζεται ἡ πίστις αὐτοῦ εἰς δικαιοσύνην.

ἐργαζομένῳ (ergazomenō, "works") refers to human effort, often contrasted with faith in Paul's writings.
πιστεύοντι (pisteuonti, "believes") signifies trust in God who justifies the ungodly. This faith is counted as righteousness.
Paul makes it clear that righteousness is credited to those who believe in God, not based on their own works, but on faith in God’s work through Christ.

2. Romans 3:27 – The Law of Faith
Romans 3:27 says:

"Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith."
Greek: Ποῦ οὖν ἡ καύχησις; ἐξεκλείσθη. Διὰ ποίου νόμου; τῶν ἔργων; οὐχί, ἀλλὰ διὰ νόμου πίστεως.

νόμος πίστεως (nomos pisteōs, "law of faith") is Paul's way of contrasting the principle of relying on faith instead of adhering to works of the Law.
Faith is not lawlessness but a new law under which justification is obtained—this "Law of Faith" governs the believer’s life.

3. Romans 4:12 – Steps of Faith like Abraham
Romans 4:12 speaks of those who walk in the footsteps of Abraham’s faith:

"And the father of circumcision to those who are not only of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised."
Greek: καὶ πατέρα περιτομῆς τοῖς οὐκ ἐκ περιτομῆς μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῖς στοιχοῦσι τοῖς ἴχνεσι τῆς ἐν ἀκροβυστίᾳ πίστεως τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ἀβραάμ.

ἴχνεσι (ichnesi, "steps") indicates that faith involves a walk or pattern of life. Faith is not static but active, following Abraham’s example.
Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness before any works (such as circumcision), and we are to follow that same path of faith.

4. Galatians 5:6 – Faith Working Through Love
Galatians 5:6 highlights:

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love."
Greek: Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ πίστις δι’ ἀγάπης ἐνεργουμένη.

πίστις δι’ ἀγάπης ἐνεργουμένη (pistis di’ agapēs energoumenē, "faith working through love") shows that true faith is evidenced by love.
Faith isn’t passive but actively expressed through loving actions, which are the fruit of faith.

5. Romans 14:23 – Acting by Conviction, Not Doubt
Romans 14:23 addresses the role of personal conviction in faith:

"But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin."
Greek: ὁ δὲ διακρινόμενος ἐὰν φάγῃ κατακέκριται, ὅτι οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως· πᾶν δὲ ὃ οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως ἁμαρτία ἐστίν.

πᾶν δὲ ὃ οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως (pan de ho ouk ek pisteōs, "whatever is not from faith") conveys that actions not rooted in faith lead to condemnation because they lack the grounding in God’s righteousness.

The believer is called to act in full conviction of their faith, knowing that doubting leads to sin and guilt.

Synthesis and Clarification:

Works and Faith: Paul consistently teaches that justification comes through faith in God’s provision—specifically faith in Jesus Christ. The Greek terms show that works (ἔργα) of the Law do not justify, but this does not mean believers remain passive. Instead, they are called to obey the Law of Faith, which involves trusting in God’s righteousness.

Ongoing Faith, not Passivity: Faith in Paul’s theology is not a one-time declaration but a walk, expressed in "steps of faith" (Romans 4:12), "working through love" (Galatians 5:6), and doing everything "from faith" (Romans 14:23). The Greek verbs such as ἔργα, πίστις, ἴχνεσι (steps), and ἐνεργουμένη (working) indicate a dynamic, active expression of faith that manifests in godly living.

God’s Righteousness: Justification, therefore, is based on God’s righteousness, not our own. This righteousness is credited to us by faith (Romans 4:5), but the outworking of that faith is love (Galatians 5:6) and actions in line with what one is convinced is right (Romans 14:5, 23).

Thus, the clarification offered in the argument is consistent with Paul’s teachings: believers are not justified by their own works of the Law, but by God’s righteousness through faith. However, this faith is not passive—it involves an active, obedient walk, characterized by love and conviction.

Shalom.
J.

Consider : Romans 2 says the Gentile believers are "a Law unto themselves", and, accordingly, will not be judged by the Law, but by "their own thoughts accusing or else excusing them"--this is nothing other than the ultimate expression of/culmination of Romans 14:5 "each man must be fully convinced in his own mind". It is not only the Gentile believers but all believers who are subject to "the Law of my mind" (Ro 7:23), which is what James calls "the Law of Liberty" (you are to walk in agreement with your thoughts/convictions).

 

[GracePeace]

Consider : Romans 2 says the Gentile believers are "a Law unto themselves", and, accordingly, will not be judged by the Law, but by "their own thoughts accusing or else excusing them"--this is nothing other than the ultimate expression of/culmination of Romans 14:5 "each man must be fully convinced in his own mind". It is not only the Gentile believers but all believers who are subject to "the Law of my mind" (Ro 7:23), which is what James calls "the Law of Liberty" (you are to walk in agreement with your thoughts/convictions).

@Johann So much so that Jesus doesn't even find fault with the lazy servant, when he accuses Jesus of being "an austere man"; He only finds fault with the lazy servant for NOT WALKING CONSISTENTLY WITH HIS CONVICTIONS--for not walking in his faith!

Matthew 25
26‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received it back with interest.

He doesn't correct the lazy servant's misunderstanding of Him, He AFFIRMS the lazy servant's error, and asks why the lazy servant did not act in accordance with his erroneous beliefs!

 

[uncle silas]

Paul is hard to understand.

Positively impossible without the Holy Spirit's enlightenment.
The powser of sin is the law 1Cor15:56
Sinfull passions are aroused in people by the TC if they live under them Rom7:5
S in took occasion of one of the TC to arouse all manner of concupiscence in Saul the Pharisee
Sin shall no longer be your master because you know sin cannot condemn you

 

[Johann]

Yes, "God's righteousness" doesn't count as "works", which word corresponds to "a righteousness of my own".
"My own righteousness from [knowledge of good and evil--of which "the Law" is but a species]" would lead people to focus on me and praise me as I boast of my goodness; "God's righteousness" says "Look to Me, all the ends of the earth". "God's righteousness" comes from God, and leads people to focus on God and praise God's glorious grace.

Thus, when only "doers of the law will be justified" (Ro 2:13), it is not a contradiction of "justified as a gift", because the righteousness is a "gift of righteousness"--and we see that Paul qualifies each man's walk as a "gift" (1 Co 7), so our manner of walking rightly is not "our own righteousness", but God's, as Paul says, "I was abundant in labors above them all, yet not I but the grace with me".

Moreover, God's righteousness comes from fellowship with Him so as to lead to fellowship with Him, "what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ."

So far so good, @GracePeace-bottom line: faith is NOT passive, as I’ve shown with references to ergon (works).

If you’d like, I can break down some verses for you with grammar and syntax (e.g., "my work and labor of love"), but if not, just let me know!

Revelation 20:12 says, "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books." This shows that believers will give an account of their deeds, demonstrating that what we do matters before God.

J.

 

[GracePeace]

Positively impossible without the Holy Spirit's enlightenment.
The powser of sin is the law 1Cor15:56
Sinfull passions are aroused in people by the TC if they live under them Rom7:5
S in took occasion of one of the TC to arouse all manner of concupiscence in Saul the Pharisee
Sin shall no longer be your master because sin cannot condemn you

On the contrary, those "in Christ" enjoy "no condemnation", but the one who does not walk in faith is condemned (Ro 14:23), because he is not remaining "in Christ", as Christ says (Jn 15), because remaining in Christ (Whose Name is "God Is Our Righteousness"), is by faith in Him AND (walking in faith which works by love) loving others 1 Jn 3:23,24.

WHY is there "no condemnation"? Romans 7 shows the man is condemned because sin is mastering him/he is a slave of sin, but after he is "set free" (Ro 8:2) he fulfills the Law (Ro 8:4)--but the one who does not walk in faith does not walk in love (love is the fulfillment of the Law), thus he is "condemned" (Ro 14:23).

Your version of these events does not square Scripture with Scripture.

 

[uncle silas]

On the contrary, those "in Christ" enjoy "no condemnation", but the one who does not walk in faith is condemned (Ro 14:23), because he is not remaining "in Christ", as Christ says (Jn 15), because remaining in Christ (Whose Name is "God Is Our Righteousness"), is by faith in Him AND (walking in faith which works by love) loving others 1 Jn 3:23,24.

WHY is there "no condemnation"? Romans 7 shows the man is condemned because sin is mastering him/he is a slave of sin, but after he is "set free" (Ro 8:2) he fulfills the Law (Ro 8:4)--but the one who does not walk in faith does not walk in love (love is the fulfillment of the Law), thus he is "condemned" (Ro 14:23).

Your version of these events does not square Scripture with Scripture.

My version of what events?

 

[GracePeace]

So far so good, @GracePeace-bottom line: faith is NOT passive, as I’ve shown with references to ergon (works).

If you’d like, I can break down some verses for you with grammar and syntax (e.g., "my work and labor of love"), but if not, just let me know!

Revelation 20:12 says, "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books." This shows that believers will give an account of their deeds, demonstrating that what we do matters before God.

J.

Faith is both passive and active--John always passively identified himself as "the one Christ loved"--and, he says, "we love because He loved us first"... whereas Peter always declared his love for God, and failed... the means to love God and men is by passive reception of God's love on God's terms (justification through His faithfulness to do what is right, not what is wrong, and be merciful and forget our sins--Jesus made God forget, as also Joseph's son Manasseh made him forget), and then we can love God and others with the love we accepted on God's terms.