James 2 21

James 2:21 kjv

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

James 2:21 nkjv

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?

James 2:21 niv

Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

James 2:21 esv

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?

James 2:21 nlt

Don't you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

James 2 verses

James 2 21 Meaning

James 2:21 states a rhetorical question that prompts an affirmative answer: "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?" This verse serves as a crucial point in James's argument that true, living faith is inseparable from obedient actions. It is not asserting that good works are the basis or earning merit for one's initial declaration of righteousness before God, but rather that works demonstrate and vindicate the genuineness of a professed faith. For Abraham, his offering of Isaac was the ultimate outward demonstration of his internal faith, proving it to be alive and active.

James 2 21 Context

James 2:21 is nestled within a larger discourse in James chapter 2 concerning the true nature of faith. The chapter contrasts a superficial, intellectual faith ("faith alone") with a genuine, living faith that produces tangible actions. James illustrates this by first condemning favoritism (James 2:1-13) and then transitioning into the direct argument about faith and works. He critiques those who merely profess faith but show no evidence of it through their deeds, such as neglecting the poor (James 2:14-16). He directly states, "faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (James 2:17). The example of Abraham offering Isaac, alongside Rahab's actions (James 2:25), serves to substantiate his claim that works validate or "complete" faith. Historically, some in the early church may have misunderstood Pauline theology, believing that a simple mental assent to facts about Christ was sufficient for salvation without any subsequent transformation or obedience. James counters this "cheap grace" theology, emphasizing that faith that genuinely saves is always active and fruitful. His use of Abraham is strategic, as Abraham was universally revered as the father of faith, providing a common ground for his Jewish-Christian audience.

James 2 21 Word analysis

• Was not: (Greek: οὐκ - ouk) This is a rhetorical question, typical of ancient argumentation. It expects an affirmative answer, "Yes, he was." This implies that the fact of Abraham being justified by works was common knowledge or widely accepted by James's audience.
• Abraham: The patriarch, a figure of profound significance in both Jewish and Christian tradition. His life narrative in Genesis provides crucial background for understanding his justification.
• our father: James's term for Abraham, connecting him personally to his Jewish-Christian readers, emphasizing a shared spiritual and physical lineage. It highlights his example as authoritative for all believers.
• justified: (Greek: ἐδικαιώθη - edikaiōthē). This is the aorist passive indicative of δικαιόω (dikaioō). The word "dikaioō" means "to declare righteous," "to acquit," "to make righteous," or "to vindicate/show to be righteous." Here, it signifies that Abraham's faith was vindicated or proven as genuine and living through his actions. It is distinct from the Pauline usage which primarily means "declared righteous before God at the point of salvation," which occurs through faith. James uses it to mean "shown to be righteous before others/as proven genuine."
• by works: (Greek: ἐξ ἔργων - ex ergōn). Literally "out of works" or "from works." This indicates the source or means of the demonstration of justification, not the means of initial declaration. Works here are not meritorious actions earning salvation, but the natural outgrowth and confirmation of saving faith.
• when he offered: This phrase links directly to the specific action. It highlights a particular point in time and a specific act.
• Isaac his son: The son of promise, miraculously given, through whom the covenant promises would be fulfilled. This made the command to sacrifice him the ultimate test, demanding an unprecedented level of faith and trust in God's promises even beyond the apparent contradiction of His command.
• on the altar: Refers to the physical place of sacrifice, emphasizing the real, concrete nature of Abraham's obedience, moving beyond mere intention to concrete action.

Words-group analysis:

• "Was not Abraham our father justified by works?": This rhetorical question highlights Abraham's well-known story as a paradigm. It asserts that Abraham's actions, particularly his obedience in offering Isaac, played a critical role in the vindication or demonstration of his faith. James draws upon Genesis 22, contrasting it with the event in Genesis 15 (where Abraham's belief was counted as righteousness). James emphasizes that the Gen 22 event was the public validation and completion of the faith God saw in Gen 15.
• "when he offered Isaac his son on the altar": This phrase specifies the climactic event of Abraham's life of faith. This single act of obedience served as irrefutable evidence of his profound trust in God, even when commanded to do something seemingly contrary to God's promise. It proved that Abraham's belief was not an empty intellectual assent, but a deep-seated conviction that translated into radical obedience.

James 2 21 Bonus section

The tension often perceived between James and Paul on "faith and works" is largely a semantic one, arising from using "justified" and "works" in slightly different senses, addressing different errors. Paul contended against the idea of earning salvation through works of the Law (especially circumcision and Jewish ceremonial laws) before God. James contended against a superficial intellectual assent to belief without any change in behavior as genuine faith. They both affirm the absolute necessity of genuine faith and that this faith will always lead to a transformed life evidenced by works. Abraham serves as the perfect bridge figure: he was justified by faith (Gen 15) and his faith was completed and proven by works (Gen 22). This implies faith grows and matures, finding its fullest expression in obedient action. In Greek, "pistis" (faith) can encompass both belief and faithfulness or fidelity. James leans into the latter aspect more heavily, emphasizing that genuine faith is characterized by active allegiance and obedience to God. The test Abraham faced was meant to demonstrate his complete dependence and obedience, revealing the steadfast nature of his faith not only to himself but to others.

James 2 21 Commentary

James 2:21 is central to understanding the dynamic interplay between faith and works in the Christian life. Far from contradicting Pauline theology that salvation is by grace through faith alone (Eph 2:8-9; Rom 3:28), James provides a complementary perspective. Paul speaks of justification as a declaration of righteousness by God, based solely on Christ's work and received through faith, not human effort. James, however, focuses on justification before others or the demonstration that one's faith is genuinely saving. Abraham's offering of Isaac was the ultimate outward validation of his internal faith that God had "counted as righteousness" many years prior (Gen 15:6). His action didn't make him righteous, but proved he already was righteous by faith. Genuine faith is never inert; it invariably expresses itself through obedience and good works, which are the natural fruits of salvation (Eph 2:10) and evidence of God's transformative power in a believer's life. The example highlights that saving faith involves trusting God even when it demands great sacrifice and goes against human reason or expectation.

Examples:

• A person claims to believe in Jesus but lives a life devoid of love, forgiveness, or acts of service. James would challenge this faith as dead.
• Someone professes belief but hoards wealth while ignoring the poor within their reach (James 2:15-16). This demonstrates a lack of true faith.