Faith Works By Love

We know from Galatians 5:6 that faith works by love.

6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Galatians 5:6 KJV

When people say that faith works by love, they often mean in respect to the necessity of walking in love in order for faith to work.

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary says the following about faith working by love in Galatians 5:6:

faith which worketh by love — Greek, “working by love.” This corresponds to “a new creature” (Galatians 6:15), as its definition. Thus in Galatians 5:5, Galatians 5:6, we have the three, “faith,” “hope,” and “love.” The Greek expresses, “Which effectually worketh”; which exhibits its energy by love (so 1 Thessalonians 2:13). Love is not joined with faith in justifying, but is the principle of the works which follow after justification by faith. Let not legalists, upholding circumcision, think that the essence of the law is set at naught by the doctrine of justification by faith only. Nay, “all the law is fulfilled in one word - love,” which is the principle on which “faith worketh” (Galatians 5:14). Let them, therefore, seek this “faith,” which will enable them truly to fulfil the law. Again, let not those who pride themselves on uncircumcision think that, because the law does not justify, they are free to walk after “the flesh” (Galatians 5:13). Let them, then, seek that “love” which is inseparable from true faith (James 2:8, James 2:12-22). Love is utterly opposed to the enmities which prevailed among the Galatians (Galatians 5:15, Galatians 5:20). The Spirit (Galatians 5:5) is a Spirit of “faith” and “love” (compare Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 7:19).

Conclusion

The faith that we are to seek is, first and foremost, knowing that we are the righteousness of God in Christ. (See 2 Cor. 5:21). We are justified by faith, apart from works of the law. (See Gal. 2:16). We also have the argument that we are justified by works and not by faith only. (See James 2:24). Perhaps we will expound on James’ argument in more detail, in the light of grace, in another post.

I believe that the Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary on Galatians 5:6, is seeking to bring these arguments into balance. However, I would say that our justification by faith is a complete work and that we are never to become disillusioned by our behaviour or performance, to the point of doubting our own justification by faith.

What I believe James is saying here is that if we are justified by faith, that power will naturally manifest itself in our lives. Love is the power behind faith, so that when we have faith, we experienced the fruit of everything that the Bible says love is.