You are putting the cart before the horse, Butch5! God does not contradict Himself. He does not "require" that which He specifically states will not save. If works don't save (and Scripture states that works don't save), why would you say that "if He requires works in order to be saved".
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
We are saved by grace through faith...UNTO good works, not BY our good works! Faith is the ROOT and good works is the FRUIT.
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.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
We are saved by grace through faith...UNTO good works, not BY our good works! Faith is the ROOT and good works is the FRUIT.
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.
Are you familiar with the Mosaic Law? God commanded it yet it could not save.
The passages you've quoted, in context are speaking of the Mosaic Law. If you look at them in context rather than simply proof texting them that becomes quite clear. I don't know if your familiar with the Judaizers or not. If you study the historical setting for Paul's writing on works it's quite clear what he was addressing. If look back a few verses in Galatians 2 you'll see where Paul is going with this.
KJV
Galatians 2:1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
[SUP]2[/SUP] And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. {privately: or, severally}
[SUP]3[/SUP] But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
[SUP]4[/SUP] And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
[SUP]5[/SUP] To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. (Gal 2:1-5 KJV)
He's says that false brethren crept in. Luke tells us a little more about this.
KJV
Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
[SUP]2[/SUP] When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
[SUP]3[/SUP] And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
[SUP]4[/SUP] And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
[SUP]5[/SUP] But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. {rose...: or, rose up, said they, certain}
[SUP]6[/SUP] And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
[SUP]7[/SUP] And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
[SUP]8[/SUP] And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
[SUP]9[/SUP] And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
[SUP]10[/SUP] Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
[SUP]11[/SUP] But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
[SUP]12[/SUP] Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
[SUP]13[/SUP] And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
[SUP]14[/SUP] Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
[SUP]15[/SUP] And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
[SUP]16[/SUP] After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
[SUP]17[/SUP] That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
[SUP]18[/SUP] Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
[SUP]19[/SUP] Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
[SUP]20[/SUP] But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
[SUP]21[/SUP] For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
[SUP]22[/SUP] Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
[SUP]23[/SUP] And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
[SUP]24[/SUP] Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
[SUP]25[/SUP] It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
[SUP]26[/SUP] Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[SUP]27[/SUP] We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. {mouth: Gr. word}
[SUP]28[/SUP] For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
[SUP]29[/SUP] That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
(Act 15:1-29 KJV)
Luke records that there were Jewish believers who were teaching Paul's converts that in addition to faith in Christ they also needed to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses (do the works of the Law). Paul went to Jerusalem by revelation of the Holy Spirit to settle this issue. Were the Gentiles to keep the Law of Moses or not. The apostles along with the Holy Spirit determined that it was not necessary for the Gentiles to be circumcised or keep the Law of Moses.
This is the background behind Paul's writings that deal with works. If you look at all of the places where Paul says no one is justified by works, in almost every case you'll see some reference in the context to the Law of Moses. The passage you stated from Galatians states right in the passage that it is speaking of the works of the Law. The passage in Ephesians 2 also is addressing the Mosaic Law. If you read on just a few passages further than what you posted you'll find.
[SUP]8[/SUP] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[SUP]9[/SUP] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[SUP]10[/SUP] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. {ordained: or, prepared}
[SUP]11[/SUP] Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
[SUP]12[/SUP] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
[SUP]13[/SUP] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
[SUP]14[/SUP] For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
[SUP]15[/SUP] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
[SUP]16[/SUP] And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: {thereby: or, in himself}
[SUP]17[/SUP] And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
[SUP]18[/SUP] For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
(Eph 2:8-18 KJV)