Justified by Faith; judged by Works – an Antinomy?

Abstract

Over the centuries the doctrine of justification by faith, itself first forged in controversy, has given rise to many controversies. One of these has to do with the coexistence in Paul's letters of the two themes: justified by faith, judged by works. Throughout Galatians and Romans Paul maintains that we are justified by faith, yet in these same letters, and indeed in all the major letters commonly acknowledged as Pauline, he affirms that we will be judged by our works.