²⁸ For we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.^(A)

³² Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works.^[a] They stumbled over the stumbling stone.^(A)

¹⁶ know that no one is justified by the works of the law^(A) but by faith in Jesus Christ.^[a] And we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ^[b] and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will^[c] be justified.

⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith^(A) working through love.^(B)

¹¹ And in view of this, we always pray for you that our God will consider you worthy of His calling,^(A) and will, by His power, fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith,^(B)

Warning against Regression

6 Therefore, leaving the elementary message about the Messiah, let us go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God,^(A)

Faith and Works

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith^[a] save him?

¹⁵ If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?^{(A) 17} In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself.

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.”^[b] Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works.^{[c](B) 19} You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder.^(C)

²⁰ Foolish man! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless? ²¹ Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? ²² You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was perfected.^{(D) 23} So the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness,^(E)[d] and he was called God’s friend.^{(F) 24} You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. ²⁵ And in the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by a different route?^{(G) 26} For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

¹⁹ I know your works—your love, faithfulness,^[a] service, and endurance. Your last works are greater than the first.