Doesn't James say faith without works is dead?
Yes, and Paul agrees. Real faith produces good works. But works are the fruit of being saved, never the root or the price.
James shows that a faith which never changes anything is not saving faith. Paul shows that God declares the ungodly righteous through faith, apart from works. Ephesians 2 holds both together: saved by grace through faith, not of works, and created in Christ Jesus for good works.
17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. 18Yes, a man will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
James 2:17-18 (WEB) · context
5But to him who doesn’t work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.
Romans 4:5 (WEB) · context
8for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, that no one would boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (WEB) · context