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◄ James 2:21►

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

New Living Translation
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?

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

Berean Standard Bible
Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

Berean Literal Bible
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, having offered his son Isaac upon the altar?

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

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

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

NASB 1995
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

NASB 1977
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

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

Amplified Bible
Was our father Abraham not [shown to be] justified by works [of obedience which expressed his faith] when he offered Isaac his son on the altar [as a sacrifice to God]?

Christian Standard Bible
Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works in offering Isaac his son on the altar?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?

American Standard Version
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar?

Contemporary English Version
Well, our ancestor Abraham pleased God by putting his son Isaac on the altar to sacrifice him.

English Revised Version
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Didn't our ancestor Abraham receive God's approval as a result of what he did when he offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice on the altar?

Good News Translation
How was our ancestor Abraham put right with God? It was through his actions, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar.

International Standard Version
Our ancestor Abraham was justified by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar, wasn't he?

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

New Heart English Bible
Wasn't Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

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

Weymouth New Testament
Was it, or was it not, because of his actions that he was declared to be righteous as the result of his having offered up his son Isaac upon the altar?

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

World English Bible
Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Was not our father Abraham considered righteous out of works, having brought up his son Isaac on the altar?

Berean Literal Bible
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, having offered his son Isaac upon the altar?

Young's Literal Translation
Abraham our father -- was not he declared righteous out of works, having brought up Isaac his son upon the altar?

Smith's Literal Translation
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, having brought up Isaac his son upon the altar.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, offering up Isaac his son upon the altar?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Was not our father Abraham justified by means of works, by offering his son Isaac upon the altar?

New American Bible
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?

New Revised Standard Version
Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Was not our father Abraham justified by works, when he raised Isaac his son upon the altar?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Was not our father Abraham justified by works when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

NT Translations

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

Godbey New Testament
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, having offered up his son Isaac on the altar?

Haweis New Testament
Was not our father Abraham justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar?

Mace New Testament
was not our father Abraham treated as just, in consequence of his actions, when he had attempted to sacrifice his son upon the altar?

Weymouth New Testament
Was it, or was it not, because of his actions that he was declared to be righteous as the result of his having offered up his son Isaac upon the altar?

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

Worsley New Testament
consider, Was not our father Abraham justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Faith and Works
…20O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?21Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?22You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Genesis 22:9-12
When they arrived at the place God had designated, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar, atop the wood. / Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. / Just then the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. ...

Hebrews 11:17-19
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, / even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death.

Romans 4:1-3
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has discovered? / If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God. / For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Genesis 15:6
Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.

Galatians 3:6-9
So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” / Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. / The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” ...

Romans 4:20-22
Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, / being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised. / This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”

John 8:39
“Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham.

2 Chronicles 20:7
Our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend?

Isaiah 41:8
“But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend—

Romans 3:28
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Romans 4:16
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

Galatians 3:29
And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

Luke 3:8
Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

Matthew 3:9
And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

Romans 9:7-8
Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring.

Treasury of Scripture

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

Abraham.

Joshua 24:3
And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.

Isaiah 51:2
Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarahthat bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

Matthew 3:9
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham toour father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

justified.

James 2:18,24
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works…

Psalm 143:2
And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

Matthew 12:37
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

when.

Genesis 22:9-12,16-18
And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood…

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James 2

1.Do not regard the rich and despise the poor brothers;
13.rather we are to be loving and merciful;
14.and not to boast of faith without deeds;
17.because faith without deeds is useless;
19.as is the faith of the demons;
21.however, Abraham displayed both faith and actions;
25.as did Rahab.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

Was not our father Abraham
Abraham is a central figure in the Bible, often called the "father of faith." His story is foundational to understanding the covenant relationship between God and His people. InGenesis 12, God calls Abraham to leave his homeland and promises to make him a great nation. Abraham's faith and obedience are highlighted throughout Scripture, making him a model for believers. His designation as "our father" emphasizes his role as a patriarch not only to the Jewish people but also to all who share in the faith of Abraham (Romans 4:16).

justified by what he did
The concept of justification here refers to being declared righteous before God. This phrase emphasizes the active demonstration of faith through works. Abraham's faith was not merely intellectual assent but was proven genuine by his actions. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that true faith results in obedience and good works (James 2:17-18). The relationship between faith and works is a key theme in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of Paul and James.

when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
This refers to the event inGenesis 22, where God tests Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac. This act is significant both historically and theologically. Geographically, the event took place in the region of Moriah, which later becomes associated with Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. Theologically, it prefigures the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, as a substitutionary atonement for sin. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac demonstrates his complete trust in God's promises, even when they seem impossible. This act of faith is celebrated inHebrews 11:17-19, where it is noted that Abraham believed God could raise Isaac from the dead, showing his belief in God's power over life and death.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Abraham
Known as the father of faith, Abraham is a central figure in the Bible. His willingness to obey God, even to the point of sacrificing his son Isaac, is a pivotal moment in biblical history.

2.Isaac
The son of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac was the child of promise through whom God would establish His covenant with Abraham's descendants.

3.The Altar
The place where Abraham was prepared to sacrifice Isaac, demonstrating his faith and obedience to God.

4.Mount Moriah
The location where Abraham was instructed to offer Isaac, which later becomes significant in biblical history as the site of the Temple in Jerusalem.

5.Justification
In this context, it refers to being declared righteous before God, not merely by faith alone but demonstrated through actions.

Teaching Points

Faith and Works in Harmony
True faith is evidenced by actions. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac was a demonstration of his faith in God. Our faith should also be visible through our deeds.

Obedience to God
Abraham's account teaches us the importance of obedience, even when God's commands are difficult to understand. Trusting God means following His will, even when it challenges us.

Testing and Growth
God tests our faith to strengthen and grow it. Like Abraham, we may face trials that test our commitment to God, but these are opportunities for spiritual growth.

Righteousness Through Action
While faith is foundational, it is through our actions that our faith is perfected and made complete. We are called to live out our faith actively.

Legacy of Faith
Abraham's faith left a lasting legacy. Our actions and faith can also impact future generations, encouraging them to trust and obey God.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of James 2:21?

2.How does James 2:21 illustrate faith being completed by works?

3.What role does Abraham's obedience play in demonstrating genuine faith?

4.How does James 2:21 connect with Genesis 22:9-12 regarding Abraham's actions?

5.In what ways can we demonstrate faith through actions in daily life?

6.How can Abraham's example in James 2:21 inspire our faith journey today?

7.How does James 2:21 relate to the concept of faith versus works in salvation?

8.Why does James 2:21 emphasize Abraham's actions rather than his faith alone?

9.How does James 2:21 align with Paul's teachings on justification by faith?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from James 2?

11.In Romans 4:3, how can Abraham’s faith be considered “righteousness” when James 2:21–24 suggests a different view of his justification?

12.What does 'God will provide the lamb' mean?

13.If God intended to stop the sacrifice, why wait until Abraham raised the knife (Genesis 22:10–12)?

14.What does "faith without works is dead" mean?

What Does James 2:21 Mean

Was not

The opening words form a rhetorical reminder that the answer is already settled by Scripture and history.Genesis 22:1-14 recounts the story James has in view, and Paul appeals to the same account inRomans 4:1-2. The question is framed so the reader must acknowledge an obvious, affirmative conclusion.

our father Abraham

Calling Abraham “our father” links every believer to the covenant promises ofGenesis 17:4-5 and underscores family likeness: those who belong to him share his kind of faith (Romans 4:11-12;John 8:39). The title carries a double force—honor for the patriarch and obligation for his children to walk as he walked.

justified

James highlights the public vindication of Abraham’s already-counted righteousness.

•Genesis 15:6 shows faith credited as righteousness.

•Genesis 22 displays that righteousness in action.

Paul stresses the first event (Romans 4:3); James emphasizes the second (James 2:22). Together they present one unified truth: real faith is never invisible for long (Matthew 7:17;Ephesians 2:10).

by what he did

Works do not replace faith; they reveal it.Hebrews 11:17-19 says Abraham acted “by faith.”John 14:15 ties love for Christ to obedience, and1 John 2:3-6 confirms that keeping God’s commands shows genuine knowledge of Him. James insists that saving faith is proved, not just professed.

when he offered his son Isaac

Genesis 22:9-12 records the moment:

- Abraham lifted the knife.

- He trusted the promise that “through Isaac shall your offspring be reckoned” (Hebrews 11:18).

- He believed God could raise the dead (Hebrews 11:19;Romans 4:18-21).

The supreme test revealed unwavering confidence in God’s character and word.

on the altar?

The altar signifies surrender and substitution.Genesis 22:13-14 shows God providing the ram, pointing ahead to the ultimate Substitute.Romans 12:1 calls believers to present themselves as living sacrifices, andLuke 14:26-27 reminds that discipleship demands supreme loyalty to Christ. Abraham’s act models wholehearted worship that withholds nothing.

summary

James 2:21 teaches that Abraham’s willingness to lay Isaac on the altar openly confirmed the righteousness already credited to him by faith. Faith receives God’s promise; works display its authenticity. True belief moves from the heart into decisive obedience, proving that saving faith is active, visible, and alive.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(21)Was not Abraham our father justified by works . . .?--St. James now addresses his two examples from familiar history in force of his plea for active faith. The first is the marvellous devotion and trust of Abraham (Genesis 22)when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar; that boy himself the type of God's dear Son, who bore, like His meek ancestor, the sacrificial wood up the long weary road of death. Happily, the story is as well known to Christian readers as to the Jewish of old time, and may safely be left here without further comment.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

{Was} not
οὐκ(ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

our
ἡμῶν(hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

father
πατὴρ(patēr)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962:Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

Abraham
Ἀβραὰμ(Abraam)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 11:Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.

justified
ἐδικαιώθη(edikaiōthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1344:From dikaios; to render just or innocent.

by
ἐξ(ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537:From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

what he did
ἔργων(ergōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2041:From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.

when he offered
ἀνενέγκας(anenenkas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 399:From ana and phero; to take up.

his
αὐτοῦ(autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

son
υἱὸν(huion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207:A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

Isaac
Ἰσαὰκ(Isaak)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2464:(Hebrew), Isaac, the patriarch. Of Hebrew origin; Isaac, the son of Abraham.

on
ἐπὶ(epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τὸ(to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

altar?
θυσιαστήριον(thysiastērion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2379:An altar (for sacrifice). From a derivative of thusia; a place of sacrifice, i.e. An altar.

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NT Letters: James 2:21 Wasn't Abraham our father justified by works (Ja Jas. Jam)