The rest of the passage is filled with references to work as an ingredient of penance, and speaks of salvation as a process rather than one-time event. The soul of a Christian is compared to a field, invoking the agricultural metaphore; the believer is characterized as "nearer to salvation (v. 9).
Let's see how many references to work can you spot in this short passage:
10 For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work, and the love which you have shewn in his name, you who have ministered, and do minister to the saints. 11 And we desire that every one of you shew forth the same carefulness to the accomplishing of hope unto the end: 12 That you become not slothful, but followers of them, who through faith and patience shall inherit the promises.
St. Paul teaches salvation by works no less than St. Matthew and St. James.
Let's see how many references to work can you spot in this short passage:10 For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work, and the love which you have shewn in his name, you who have ministered, and do minister to the saints.God doesn't disregard our good works ... rather, He rewards our good works.
11 And we desire that every one of you shew forth the same carefulness to the accomplishing of hope unto the end:
12 That you become not slothful, but followers of them, who through faith and patience shall inherit the promises.1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.But works don't save.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
St. Paul teaches salvation by works no less than St. Matthew and St. James.
James doesn't teach salvation by works.
James teaches salvation by a faith that produces works. Works don't save. Grace saves.
Paul confirms this in Ephesians ...Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:God saves us by His gace ... through our faith ... so as to produce works pleasing to God.
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.