It will be a mistake to read and understand the book of James on the assumption that "James has read Paul's epistles and understood them already".
The book of James was written before Acts 15. James was brought up under the Law and he was not aware of the secrets of the mystery that the ascended Christ revealed to Paul, before he wrote it.
Thus, when James stated that faith without works is dead, he meant exactly what he stated.
The book of James was written before Acts 15. James was brought up under the Law and he was not aware of the secrets of the mystery that the ascended Christ revealed to Paul, before he wrote it.
Thus, when James stated that faith without works is dead, he meant exactly what he stated.
Saved by faith, and not by works, when we first confess Christ for that is all we can do being in the flesh.
And then when we receive the Spirit we have to have works of love by the Spirit, or our faith is void.
Some people do not know when Paul is speaking according to the flesh, and according to the Spirit.
1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Charity, love in action, works, is greater than faith, and faith works by love.
Without love and neglecting love there is no faith.
1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Charity does not think an evil thought, and does not sin by the Spirit, which a Spirit led life will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh, for they have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Charity is not selfish, and only goes by their needs, and not their wants, and helps people with their needs if possible, or to help them with whatever is a need for them.
1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Paul said he could have all faith so that he could remove mountains, but if he did not have charity he is nothing.
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Paul said if they preach God blesses with their wants above their needs then withdraw yourselves from them.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
For the love of money is the root of all evil for it neglects the poor and needy which love is the fulfilling of the law which includes helping them with their needs, which Jesus told the rich man to sell all he had that was not a necessity, and give to the poor, then he would be perfect to inherit eternal life, and the Church in Acts sold all they had and gave to the saints that had need, and had all things in common.
Which God said He wants equality among the saints that those that have much will have nothing left over, and those that had little did not lack according to their needs.
So Paul said we have to have charity, love in action, works, or we are nothing, and we have erred from the faith.
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James said without charity our faith is dead, so Paul and James say the same thing all the while some people argue over the 2 men all the while they say the same thing.
When we are first saved we do it while in the flesh so all we can do is have faith, and our works cannot save us.
But when we receive the Spirit then we have to have works of love, charity, or our faith does not count.
Which we know many people lack as they go by their wants, the prosperity Gospel that caters to their wants, and then say they are saved by faith alone while they lack love, and love is greater than faith.
1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
John says without charity then the love of God does not dwell in them, so do not love in word, or in tongue, but love in deed, works, and in truth.
Paul, James, and John say the same thing for they are speaking according to the Spirit, and not when initially saved where works cannot save us for we are in the flesh when we first have faith, and confess Christ.
For nobody receives the Spirit to be saved then has faith, and confesses Christ, although it is God that led them to the truth.
Paul said we do not void out the law through faith, but we establish the law, and the law is spiritual, holy, just, and good, the moral laws, laws of love.
And a Spirit led life is not under the law for their sins are forgiven, and they are not sinning, therefore the law cannot touch them for prosecution.
Every time we sin we forfeit our repentance until we repent and get rid of the sin.
Which is why the Bible says that if we sin wilfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth there is no more sacrifice for sin, which if we hold unto sin then the blood of Christ cannot wash the sin away.
Which many say they cannot abstain from sin, and believe the prosperity Gospel, or go by their wants anyway.
Which love does not think an evil thought, and does not sin by the Spirit, and helps the poor and needy, or wherever they have a need.
So they lack love, and then say they are saved by faith.
But love is greater than faith, and faith works by love.