Devine Scripture

James 2:23

What does James 2:23 mean?

A plain-English look at James 2:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 2:23 means

James says the Scripture was fulfilled: “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.” The later act of obedience confirmed the earlier reckoning; it did not replace it. God counted Abraham righteous by faith, and that very faith, alive and real, produced costly obedience, vindicating the claim that he was God’s friend. Thus, Scripture’s declaration about faith and righteousness stands firm, while James guards against empty claims of faith that never obey. Friendship with God shows itself in trusting submission to His word.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the holy Writings were put into effect which said, And Abraham had faith in God and it was put to his account as righteousness; and he was named the friend of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and fulfilled was the Writing that is saying, `And Abraham did believe God, and it was reckoned to him--to righteousness;' and, `Friend of God' he was called.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the scripture was fulfilled, saying: Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him to justice, and he was called the friend of God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believedGod, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called Friend ofGod.

Context

This verse seals the Abraham example by linking his obedience to the earlier declaration of righteousness by faith. With this harmony established, verse 24 draws a general principle about justification’s visible evidence. The argument then widens in verse 25 to include Rahab, showing the same pattern in a very different person. Together they display one truth: genuine faith is active and obedient, whether in a patriarch or a former harlot.

v.22Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect;

v.23This passage

v.24Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 4:3

    For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.

  • John 15:13

    Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

  • Romans 9:17

    For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth.

  • Mark 12:10

    Have ye not read even this scripture: The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner;

  • 2 Chronicles 20:7

    Didst not thou, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and give it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

  • Isaiah 41:8

    But thou, Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend,

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