"Justified," "Redemption," "Salvation," and "Sanctification" - Word Study
(Is James 2:24, "by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" not applicable to getting saved?)

There are four words that come to mind when we think of receiving the greatest benefit man can obtain from God: Redemption; Salvation, Justification, and Sanctification. These words are synonymous, i.e., they mean the same or nearly the same. Yet some have labored to make a huge distinction when considering the word "justified," as used in James 2:24. They assert that James' statement is not applicable to what is involved in becoming a Christian, but that James' unequivocal statement is only applicable to those who were saved at the point of faith i.e., by "faith only." Let us test this assertion as we look at each of the terms noted above.

Redemption
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
ap-ol-oo'-tro-sis
From a compound of G575 and G3083; (the act) ransom in full, that is, (figuratively) riddance, or (specifically) Christian salvation: - deliverance, redemption.

Redeemed, Redeemed:
loo-tro'-o
From G3083; to ransom (literally or figuratively): - redeem.

Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Strong: to ransom (literally or figuratively)

Comments: All admit that Christ's blood is involved in being saved. Thus, when one is saved, he is at that moment redeemed. Strong states that "salvation" is the point at which one is "delivered," i.e., from sin.

Salvation
sōtēria
so-tay-ree'-ah
Feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally): - deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.

Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Comments: From the above passages it is evident that salvation is in Christ, that there is salvation in no other name, and that obedience follows "godly sorrow," repentance, and confession, which is merely "to," or in the direction of, salvation. If these passages are to be believed, the Bible does not teach salvation at the point of faith.

Justification, Justified
dik-ah'-yo-sis
From G1344; acquittal (for Christ's sake): - justification.

Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Thayer: the act of God declaring men free from guilt and acceptable to him

Justified
dik-ah-yo'-o
From G1342; to render (that is, show or regard as) just or innocent: - free, justify (-ier), be righteous.

Act 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Comment: In the above passages, Paul is addressing a problem the Galatians had with the Law of Moses. He was not addressing works, as related to God’s conditions for salvation. Rather, he was concerned about Christians seeking to be justified by the Law of Moses, which was replaced by the "perfect law of liberty" (James 1:25), which is the Law of Christ (Gal. 6:2). Furthermore, Paul said, "the things I write unto you are the 'commandments of the Lord' "(1 Cor 14:37). Believers in Christ, as opposed to believers in the Law are "justified." The justification is through faith rather than deeds of the law. When one is initially saved, as described by Paul (Rom. 6:3,4; 17,18), he is then justified by God whose grace is bestowed upon him. It is because of faith that God justifies an individual, but it is not at the point of faith. This is evident because of the two examples we are given on this point: John 12:42; James 2:19.

Romans 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Comment:
In the above passage Paul cannot be referring to the Law of Moses for such would be a contradiction of what he taught elsewhere. He and James are in agreement about the need to be a doer, and not just a hearer, to be justified.

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Barnes Commentary:

"But to him that worketh not" - Who does not rely on his conformity to the Law for his justification; who does not depend on his works; who seeks to be justified in some other way. The reference here is to the Christian plan of justification.

Comment:
Indeed, for such would result in falling from grace (Gal. 5:4). The latter part of the above passages is referring to imperfect Christians who are continually cleansed by the blood as they "walk in the light" (1 John 1:7).

A man is justified by faith as opposed to works of the Law of Moses, which was never possible. When one is saved by Christ's blood, which happens when one becomes a Christian, he is then "justified by his blood" (Rom. 5:9 above). Therefore, the word "justification" is applicable to being saved and cannot be limited to works after being saved. This means the following passage, which speaks against the doctrine of "faith only", cannot be dismissed using the argument that justification has nothing to do with becoming a Christian.

James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Sanctified
hag-ee-ad'-zo
From G40; to make holy, that is, (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate: - hallow, be holy, sanctify.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Clark Commentary: "With the washing of water" - Baptism, accompanied by the purifying influences of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Conclusion:
When a proper candidate for baptism is immersed in water he then rises to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3,4), he is justified, redeemed, saved, and is sanctified. Thus, the argument that James 2:24, which unequivocally states that "a man is justified by works, and not faith only", is not talking about initial salvation but only his life, thereafter, is erroneous. These "works" are not works of the Law but action on the part of the believer in meeting God's conditions or requirements.