James 2:21–23
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Was not Abraham our father iustified by works, when hee had offered Isaac his sonne vpon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
‖Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- ‖Alternative wordingOr, thou seest.
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.
And the Scripture was fullfiled which saith, *Abraham beleeued God, and it was imputed vnto him for righteousnes: and he was called the friend of God.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceGen. 15.6. rom. 4.3. gal. 3.6.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Cross References
15 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 21
- Genesis 22:16–18Rank 1 from verse 21
16And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
18And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
16And said, *By my selfe haue I sworne, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy sonne, thine onely sonne,
17That in blessing I will blesse thee, and in multiplying, I will multiply thy seed as the starres of the heauen, and as the sand which is vpon the sea †shore, and thy seed shall possesse the gate of his enemies.
18*And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou hast obeyed my voice.
- Genesis 22:9–12Rank 2 from verse 21
9And 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.
10And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
12And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
9And they came to the place which God had tolde him of, and Abraham built an Altar there, and *layd the wood in order, and bound Isaac his sonne, and layde him on the Altar vpon the wood.
10And Abraham stretched foorth his hand, and tooke the knife to slay his sonne.
11And the Angel of the LORD called vnto him out of heauen, and said, Abraham, Abraham. And he said, Here am I.
12And he said, Lay not thine hand vpon the lad, neither do thou any thing vnto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withhelde thy sonne, thine onely sonne from mee.
- Matthew 12:37Rank 4 from verse 21
- Romans 4:16Rank 5 from verse 21
16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
16Therefore it is of faith, that it might bee by grace; to the ende the promise might be sure to all the seede, not to that onely which is of the Law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of vs all,
2And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
2And hee said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken: The God of glory appeared vnto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
- Isaiah 51:2Rank 7 from verse 21
- James 2:18Rank 8 from verse 21
- James 2:24Rank 9 from verse 21
- Joshua 24:3Rank 11 from verse 21
3And 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.
3And I tooke your father Abraham frō the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and *gaue him Isaac.
- Luke 16:24Rank 13 from verse 21
24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
24And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, haue mercy on mee, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and coole my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame.
- Luke 16:30Rank 14 from verse 21
- Matthew 25:31–40Rank 15 from verse 21
31¶ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
31¶ When the Sonne of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy Angels with him, then shall hee sit vpon the throne of his glory:
32And before him shall be gathered all nations, and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepheard diuideth his sheepe from the goats.
33And he shall set the sheepe on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34Then shall the King say vnto them on his right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35*For I was an hungred, and yee gaue me meate: I was thirstie, and ye gaue me drinke: I was a stranger, and ye tooke me in:
36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sicke, and yee visited me: I was in prison, and ye came vnto me.
37Then shal the righteous answere him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fedde thee? or thirstie, and gaue thee drinke?
38When saw wee thee a stranger, and tooke thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39Or when saw we thee sicke, or in prison, and came vnto thee?
40And the King shall answere, and say vnto them, Uerely I say vnto you, in as much as ye haue done it vnto one of the least of these my brethren, ye haue done it vnto me.
- Matthew 3:9Rank 16 from verse 21
9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
9And thinke not to say within your selues, *Wee haue Abraham to our father: For I say vnto you, that God is able of these stones to raise vp children vnto Abraham.
- Psalms 143:2Rank 17 from verse 21
- Romans 3:20Rank 18 from verse 21
- Romans 4:1Rank 19 from verse 21
- Romans 4:12Rank 20 from verse 21
12And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
12And the father of circumcision, to them who are not of the circumcision onely, but also walke in the steppes of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet vncircumcised.
From verse 22
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3Rank 1 from verse 22
3Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
3Remembring without ceasing your worke of faith, and labour of loue, and patience of hope in our Lord Iesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father:
- Hebrews 11:17–19Rank 2 from verse 22
17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
17By faith Abraham when he was tried, offered vp Isaac: and he that had receiued the promises, offered vp his onely begotten sonne,
18‖Of whom it was said, That, in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19Accounting that God was able to raise him vp, euen from the dead: from whence also he receiued him in a figure.
- 1 John 2:5Rank 3 from verse 22
- Galatians 5:6Rank 4 from verse 22
- 1 John 4:17–18Rank 5 from verse 22
17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
17Herein is †our loue made perfect, that wee may haue boldnesse in the day of Iudgement, because as hee is, so are we in this world.
18There is no feare in loue, but perfect loue casteth out feare: because feare hath torment: hee that feareth, is not made perfect in loue.
- James 2:18Rank 6 from verse 22
From verse 23
- Genesis 15:6Rank 1 from verse 23
- Isaiah 41:8Rank 2 from verse 23
- 2 Chronicles 20:7Rank 3 from verse 23
7Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?
7 Art not thou our God, † who didst driue out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gauest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for euer?
- Galatians 3:6Rank 4 from verse 23
- Romans 4:22–24Rank 5 from verse 23
22And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
22And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousnesse.
23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him:
24But for vs also, to whome it shall bee imputed, if wee beleeue on him that raised vp Iesus our Lord from the dead,
- Exodus 33:11Rank 6 from verse 23
11And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.
11And the LORD spake vnto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh vnto his friend. And he turned againe into the campe, but his seruant Ioshua the sonne of Nun, a yong man, departed not out of the Tabernacle.
- Romans 4:3–6Rank 7 from verse 23
3For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
3For what saith the Scripture? Abraham beleeued God, and it was counted vnto him for righteousnes.
4Now to him that worketh, is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5But to him that worketh not, but beleeueth on him that iustifieth the vngodly; his faith is counted for righteousnesse.
6Euen as Dauid also describeth the blessednesse of the man, vnto whom God imputeth righteousnesse without works:
- John 15:13–15Rank 8 from verse 23
13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
13Greater loue hath no man then this, that a man lay downe his life for his friends.
14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoeuer I command you.
15Henceforth I call you not seruants, for the seruant knoweth not what his lord doth, but I haue called you friends: for all things that I haue heard of my Father, I haue made knowen vnto you.
- Galatians 3:22Rank 9 from verse 23
- Romans 11:2Rank 10 from verse 23
2God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
2God hath not cast away his people which hee foreknew. Wote yee not what the Scripture saieth of Elias? how hee maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
- Galatians 3:8–10Rank 11 from verse 23
8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
8And the Scripture foreseeing that God would iustifie the heathen through faith, preached before the Gospel vnto Abraham, saying, *In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9So then, they which bee of faith, are blessed with faithfull Abraham.
10For as many as are of the works of the lawe, are vnder the curse: for it is written, *Cursed is euery one that continueth not in all things which are written in the booke of the Law to doe them.
- Romans 4:10–11Rank 13 from verse 23
10How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
10How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in vncircumcision? not in circumcision, but in vncircumcision.
11And hee receiued the signe of circumcision, a seale of the righteousnesse of the faith, which hee had yet being vncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that beleeue, though they be not circumcised; that righteousnesse might be imputed vnto them also:
- Romans 9:17Rank 14 from verse 23
17For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
17For the Scripture saith vnto Pharaoh, *Euen for this same purpose haue I raised thee vp, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my Name might bee declared throughout all the earth.
- Mark 15:27Rank 16 from verse 23
- Mark 12:10Rank 17 from verse 23
- 1 Peter 2:6Rank 18 from verse 23
6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
6Wherefore it is conteined in the Scripture, *Beholde, I lay in Sion a chiefe corner stone, elect, precious, and he that beleeueth on him, shall not be confounded.
- 2 Timothy 3:16Rank 19 from verse 23
16Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
16Men and brethren, This Scripture must needs haue beene fulfilled, *which the holy Ghost by the mouth of Dauid spake before concerning Iudas, which was guide to them y t took Iesus.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
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DEFINED WORDS
James 2:21
The patriarch formerly named Abram, whom God appointed to be a father of many nations.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: A male parent or begetter. Sense 2: An ancestor, forefather, founder, source, originator, chief, elder, or one bearing paternal authority and care. Sense 3: God as Father, including the Father of Jesus Christ and of those described as his children.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Declared righteous or acquitted. 2. Shown or proved to be right. 3. Comparatively shown to be more righteous.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of offer, meaning to present, bring, give, propose, or attempt.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. A male child or descendant. 2. One belonging to, related to, or characterized by the person, people, place, condition, or quality named.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
James 2:22
The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen; trust, confidence, belief, persuasion, or reliance. Sense 2: Faithfulness, fidelity, or trustworthiness. Sense 3: The revealed truth or gospel believed and kept.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Worked, laboured, acted, made, formed, fashioned, performed, produced, or brought about.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Complete, whole, sound, mature, upright, fully fitted, finished, exact, or lacking nothing required for the person, work, knowledge, state, purpose, or standard in view; to perfect is to bring to that intended completion or maturity.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
James 2:23
The sacred writing or writings given by inspiration of God, whether taken collectively or as a particular passage.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828
Filled up, completed, accomplished, performed, satisfied, expired, or brought fully to the appointed result, measure, time, or realization.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The patriarch formerly named Abram, whom God appointed to be a father of many nations.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of believe. Sense 1: To accept as true on testimony or evidence; to be persuaded. Sense 2: To trust or place confidence in.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The one true God.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of impute, meaning to reckon, attribute, or place to someone's account.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
righteousness
The state or character of being righteous; justice, uprightness, or conformity to what is right.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of call. Sense 1: To name. Sense 2: To summon or invite. Sense 3: To proclaim or address. Sense 4: To request.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
One joined to another by affection, goodwill, or alliance; to support or befriend.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
20But wilt thou knowe, O vaine man, that faith without workes is dead?
21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
21Was not Abraham our father iustified by works, when hee had offered Isaac his sonne vpon the altar?
Selected passage22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
22‖Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Selected passage23And 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.
23And the Scripture was fullfiled which saith, *Abraham beleeued God, and it was imputed vnto him for righteousnes: and he was called the friend of God.
Selected passage24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
24Ye see then, how that by workes a man is iustified, and not by faith only.