Paul draws a sharp distinction between effective obedience and futile human “works” (like circumcision).
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love (Galatians 5:6).
For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God (1 Corinthians 7:19).
As Paul defines it in a certain context, circumcision is a “work” because it belongs to an old legal system. It is no part of Gospel response. Yet for the same Paul, “keeping the commandments of God” is what counts. It matters. It is vital. Why? Because God’s commands relate to a grace system, not a legal system (John 1:17; Romans 5:21; 6:14). Christ, in fact, ends “the law,” so that “the faith” can bring salvation (Romans 7:4; 10:4; Galatians 3:24).
If that old law and its legalism has ended, we may be sure that anything Christ now requires is not legal effort at earning salvation. To obey Christ is, in Paul’s language, faith working through love. That kind of faith, says Paul, is what truly counts (Galatians 5:6). Something else that claims to be ‘faith,’ yet refuses to work in love, obviously does not count! That is exactly the point that James makes. Yes, Paul and James agree, and both are in complete agreement with the rest of Scripture.