There are two justifications for the Christian, James 2.24

[KUWN]

2.24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone (NET Bible)

ὁρᾶτε ὅτι ἐξ ἔργων δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος καὶ οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως μόνον.

Lets start with a corrected translation first before looking at one of the details

You see that a man is justified by works, and not only justified by faith.

James is saying that a by-faith justification is not the only kind of justification there is. There is also a by-works justification. The former type is before God; the latter type is before men.

The key to understanding this verse is the Greek adverb only (monon), which does not qualify the word 'faith' because the form would then have to be mones. As an adverb, however, it modifies the verb justified that is to be supplied in the second clause.

There is no justification that is by-faith PLUS works. You have two justifications that James is writing about.

 

[MatthewG]

Hello, Kuwn.

Do you believe this has anything to do with what you are sharing? It’s a little bit of scripture from John, if I may share it and see what you think about it. While I believe it’s written Paul became to those under the law as one who was under the law (Jews at that time) and those without law as though without the law (Gentiles who never had the law to begin with.)

“Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭28‬-‭36‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Now you may have a different take, however to me the work of God is to believe on the one whom he had sent, which in turn leads to a “spirit filled life.” (Romans 5:1-4 - Romans 8; Galatians 5.) That leads to a life that is filled by “love, peace, mercy, compassion, long-suffering, etcetera.”

 

[KUWN]

Now you may have a different take, however to me the work of God is to believe on the one whom he had sent, which in turn leads to a “spirit filled life.” (Romans 5:1-4 - Romans 8; Galatians 5.) That leads to a life that is filled by “love, peace, mercy, compassion, long-suffering, etcetera.”

I don't necessarily see where being saved leads go a Spirit filled life. Yes, at the historical moment of faith in Christ for salvation you are indwelt and filled with the Spirit, while you can't lose the indwelling you can lose the filling (by sinning and therefore our of fellowship). That is why we are commanded to be filled with the Spirit. The moment we sin as a new Christian, we are no longer filled with the Spirit. 1 John 1.9 is God's truth about needing to confess known sins. Once we confess, we are filled again. This is not a license to sin, but a license to serve. The Christian way of life is not complicated. Once saved, we are to become sanctified (being more Christ-like) by the renewing of our mind in our study of the Word of God.

I don't know exactly what you wanted me to address, but the above came to mind when I read your post.

 

[marks]

2.24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone (NET Bible)

ὁρᾶτε ὅτι ἐξ ἔργων δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος καὶ οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως μόνον.

Lets start with a corrected translation first before looking at one of the details

You see that a man is justified by works, and not only justified by faith.

James is saying that a by-faith justification is not the only kind of justification there is. There is also a by-works justification. The former type is before God; the latter type is before men.

The key to understanding this verse is the Greek adverb only (monon), which does not qualify the word 'faith' because the form would then have to be mones. As an adverb, however, it modifies the verb justified that is to be supplied in the second clause.

There is no justification that is by-faith PLUS works. You have two justifications that James is writing about.

James makes it clear this is what he is talking about when he say, you show me your faith without works, and I'll show you my faith by my works. It's about what others will see, as you say, being justified before men.

Much love!