{Justified by works} (ex erg(936e) edikai(9374)h(885c)). First aorist
passive indicative of dikaio(935c) (see Galatians and Romans for
this verb, to declare righteous, to set right) in a question with
ouk expecting an affirmative answer. This is the phrase that is
often held to be flatly opposed to Paul's statement in  Ro
4:1-5 , where Paul pointedly says that it was the faith of
Abraham ( Ro 4:9 ) that was reckoned to Abraham for
righteousness, not his works. But Paul is talking about the faith
of Abraham before his circumcision ( 4:10 ) as the basis of his
being set right with God, which faith is symbolized in the
circumcision. James makes plain his meaning also. {In that he
offered up Isaac his son upon the altar} (anenegkas Isaak ton
huion autou epi to thusiast(8872)ion). They use the same words, but
they are talking of different acts. James points to the offering
(anenegkas second aorist--with first aorist ending--active
participle of anapher(935c)) of Isaac on the altar ( Ge 22:16f. ) as
_proof_ of the faith that Abraham already had. Paul discusses
Abraham's faith as the basis of his justification, that and not
his circumcision. There is no contradiction at all between James
and Paul. Neither is answering the other. Paul may or may not
have seen the Epistle of James, who stood by him loyally in the
Conference in Jerusalem ( Ac 15  Ga 2 ).