Does James disagree with Paul?

Justification by works for James and justification by works for Paul are not addressing exactly the same issue and they do not carry exactly the same meaning.

Paul vehemently denies that a man is justified by works in the sense that those works are the merits by which God rewards him or pays him the wage of Justification.


Paul teaches at the beginning of the Christian life when God looks down on a sinner and decides to pronounce him guilty or not guilty, Paul says that just like Abraham our faith is reckoned to us as righteousness. Paul further teaches that this very faith works itself out through love as when Abraham verified the faith through which he was justified.  


James on the other hand is focusing on how a person maintains an ongoing and right standing with God?


James says in this sense, a person is justified by his works which is the evidence that your initial embrace and professing of faith was authentic.

Conclusion

Does justification as an ongoing and final right standing with God throughout the Christian life depend on works?

I think Paul would say NO, if by works you mean deeds done to show that you deserve Gods ongoing blessings. Paul says in this sense it would be justification by works and he rejects it completely.


I think James would say YES, if by works you mean the fruit and evidence of our initial faith. James says in this sense it is necessary evidence that is needed to identify authentic faith. If it is not there, there is no reason to think you are justified.

For Paul justification by works which he renounces means gaining a right standing with God through the merit of works.  

For James justification by works which he affirms means the works that are necessary in the ongoing life of the Christian to confirm and prove the reality of their initial faith.

Both James and Paul are right!