In some non-Catholic interpretations of Scripture, it is common to see a profound opposition between St James and St Paul on the question of the relationship of faith and good works. Luther himself fell into the error of attributing a much lower value to the Letter of James than to the Letters of St Paul, even though both are the word of God, and God cannot contradict himself! However is should now be increasingly clear that by "works" Paul and James are talking about different things. In Galatians 5:6, Paul speaks of "only faith working through love" or, as another translation puts it: "faith working through love is all that matters." Paul sets "faith working through love", not simply "faith", in opposition to circumcision or lack of circumcision. His teaching on the need to live out our faith in the activities of our lives is clear in all his Letters.

Though some may find it hard to accept, Paul's words, "faith working through", are a neat and succinct summary of St James' Letter! The Second Letter of Peter 3:15-17 notes that, even in the early Church, people misused Paul's Letters. It is against such misuse that James is writing. It is unacceptable to use Scripture as an excuse for anything.