Because Jehovah’s Witnesses believe they are “in the truth” and that we are in spiritual darkness, they insist on being the teachers.

Fine. Ask them to explain to you what Paul is teaching in Romans 4 and Ephesians 2 regarding the relationship of faith and works in the salvation process.

Romans 4:1-8 (pp. 92-95)

In Romans 4:1-2, Paul says that Abraham was not declared righteous by works before God. To counter that, the Witnesses may quote James 2:21, which says that Abraham was declared righteous by works when he offered Isaac on the altar. If so, tell them that’s a good point and that you want to discuss that with them also but that right now you’d like to have them explain to you what Paul means in Romans 4. Then you’ll be happy to look at James because you know God’s Word doesn’t contradict itself.

Romans 4:3 says, “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Ask where Paul is quoting from and what exactly Abraham believed. Establish that it took place in Genesis 15 when God promised still-childless Abraham that he would have countless offspring. Ask, “How is being declared righteous because of faith different from being declared righteous as a result of works?” Notice you aren’t arguing with them here; you are simply letting them teach you what they believe Paul is talking about.

Romans 4:4-5 says, “4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.”

Ask follow-up questions like these:

  • “What points do you think Paul is making about the difference between the man who works (verse 4) and the man who does not work (verse 5)?”
  • “Does the man who doesn’t work end up being declared unrighteous or righteous?”
  • ”Please help me understand Why would Jehovah declare an ungodly man—a man who doesn’t work—righteous?”
  • “If Jehovah has declared him righteous, is he righteous or is he unrighteous?” Establish that such a man is righteous even though he has not yet produced any good works to prove it.

 Romans 4:6 states: “David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.”

Ask, “Since ‘faith without works is dead,’ how can God count this man righteous apart from works? That seems puzzling to me.” They should have trouble coming up with an answer. Don’t rush in to give them your answer—that first comes salvation by faith and with it an inner transformation that produces good works. Let them wrestle with it. The goal is to get them to engage with what the Scripture is saying.

Romans 4:7-8 says, “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” Ask: “I want to see if I’m understanding Paul correctly here. What does Paul believe this man’s works have to do with getting him this forgiveness and covering?”

The point of the entire passage is that Paul contrasts the righteousness that comes by faith with the righteousness that comes as a result of works. He says that Abraham was declared righteous by faith by God apart from works. He says that this grace results in our being blessed because Jehovah has pardoned our transgressions and covered our sins. Jehovah’s Witnesses have no such assurance because they think their salvation depends on constant works and endurance.

Then ask the Witnesses to help you understand one more passage from Paul before switching to James.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (pp. 95-97)

Ephesians 2:8-10 explains the biblical relationship between faith and works. Again, letting the Witnesses be your teachers, ask them to go through this passage with you and teach you what it means verse-by-verse. Ask questions like these:

  • “Paul says his readers have been saved. Is he saying we can know we have been saved? How?”
  • “What role does Paul believe his readers’ works played in their salvation?”
  • “What does Paul mean in verse 10 when he says, ‘created in Christ Jesus to do good works’? What does ‘created in Christ Jesus’ mean there?”

One way to teach something to Jehovah’s Witnesses without giving offense is to make a statement and ask their opinion on it. Here’s an example: “Someone once told me that they think Paul was saying this, and I’d like to get your take on this interpretation of his teaching (p. 97):

  • It’s NOT Faith + Works = Salvation
  • Rather, it’s Faith = Salvation + Works”

Study Questions

  1. How can having Jehovah’s Witnesses read Romans 4:1-8 aloud and asking them to teach you what that means, explaining it verse-by-verse, be a helpful technique? (pp. 92-95)
  1. Please read Ephesians 2:8-10. How might you use this passage to explain the biblical relationship of faith and works?
  1. Do you find these two “equations” helpful in explaining the gospel? (pp. 95-97)
  • It’s NOT Faith + Works = Salvation
  • Rather, it’s Faith = Salvation + Works

 

 

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