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Scripture · New Testament

James 2:21

James 2:21 is verse 21 of James chapter 2, shown here in the Berean Standard Bible.

Berean Standard Bible

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

BSB source and public domain terms

King James Version

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

World English Bible

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

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James 2:19–23 · Berean Standard Bible

19 You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

20 O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?

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

22 You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did.

23 And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.

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Greek words

Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

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Cross-references

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.

Joshua 24:3

But I took your father Abraham from beyond the Euphrates and led him through all the land of Canaan, and I multiplied his descendants. I gave him Isaac,

Isaiah 51:2

Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him.

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.

Luke 1:73

the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

Luke 16:24

So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’

Luke 16:30

‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone is sent to them from the dead, they will repent.’

John 8:39

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

John 8:53

Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. Who do You claim to be?”

Acts 7:2

And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,

Romans 4:1

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, has discovered?

Romans 4:12

And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

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.

James 2:18

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

James 2:24

As you can see, a man is justified by his deeds and not by faith alone.

Psalms 143:2

Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.

Matthew 12:37

For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 25:31

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne.

Matthew 25:32

All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Matthew 25:33

He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.

Matthew 25:34

Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Matthew 25:35

For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in,

Matthew 25:36

I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’

Matthew 25:37

Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink?

Matthew 25:38

When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?

Matthew 25:39

When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’

Matthew 25:40

And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’

Romans 3:20

Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.

Genesis 22:9

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.

Genesis 22:10

Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.

Genesis 22:11

Just then the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.

Genesis 22:12

“Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,” said the angel, “for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”

Genesis 22:16

saying, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son,

Genesis 22:17

I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies.

Genesis 22:18

And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

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