James 2:21-23 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - James 2:14-26

In this latter part of the chapter, the apostle shows the error of those who rested in a bare profession of the Christian faith, as if that would save them, while the temper of their minds and the tenour of their lives were altogether disagreeable to that holy religion which they professed. To let them see, therefore, what a wretched foundation they built their hopes upon, it is here proved at large that a man is justified, not by faith only, but by works. Now, I. Upon this arises a very great... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 2:14-26

2:14-26 My brothers, what use is it if a man claims to have faith and has no deeds to show? Are you going to claim that his faith is able to save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear, and if they have not enough for their daily food, and if one of you says to them, "Go in peace! Be warmed and fed!" and yet does not give them the essentials of bodily existence, what use is that? So, if faith too has no deeds to show, by itself it is dead. But someone may well say, "Have you... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:21

Was not Abraham our father justified by works ,.... Not as the causes of his justification, that is denied, Romans 4:2 but as effects of it, showing the truth of his faith, and the reality of his justification: he had both faith and works, and the former were known by the latter; and even the faith which he had expressed years ago was manifested, demonstrated, and confirmed to be true and genuine, by the instance of his obedience to God, here produced; by which it appeared he was a true... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:22

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works ,.... Not to justify him before God; for neither faith nor works are ever said in Scripture to justify any man; but his faith being of the right kind, a faith which works by love, it put him upon doing this work, and many others; for this was done in faith, Hebrews 11:17 as all good works are, which are properly such; and where there is true faith, it will influence and engage a man to do good works, as it did Abraham. And by works was faith... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:23

And the Scripture was fulfilled ,.... Genesis 15:6 which speaks of Abraham's faith, and the imputation of to him for righteousness; for the above action of Abraham, in offering up his son, was a clear proof of the truth of his faith, there commended: by this it was made known what a strong faith he had in God, and what reason there was to believe that he was a justified person. Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness ; See Gill on Romans 4:3 which shows both... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:21

Was not Abraham our father - Did not the conduct of Abraham, in offering up his son Isaac on the altar, sufficiently prove that he believed in God, and that it was his faith in him that led him to this extraordinary act of obedience? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:22

Seest thou how faith wrought - Here is a proof that faith cannot exist without being active in works of righteousness. His faith in God would have been of no avail to him, had it not been manifested by works; for by works - by his obedience to the commands of God, his faith was made perfect - it dictated obedience, he obeyed; and thus faith ετελειωθη , had its consummation. Even true faith will soon die, if its possessor do not live in the spirit of obedience. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:23

The scripture was fulfilled - He believed God; this faith was never inactive, it was accounted to him for righteousness: and being justified by thus believing, his life of obedience showed that he had not received the grace of God in vain. See the notes on Genesis 15:6 ; Romans 4:3 ; (note); Galatians 3:6 ; (note); where this subject is largely explained. The friend of God - The highest character ever given to man. As among friends every thing is in common; so God took Abraham into... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:21

Verse 21 21Was not Abraham. The Sophists lay hold on the word justified, and then they cry out as being victorious, that justification is partly by works. But we ought to seek out a right interpretation according to the general drift of the whole passage. We have already said that James does not speak here of the cause of justification, or of the manner how men obtain righteousness, and this is plain to every one; but that his object was only to shew that good works are always connected with... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:22

Verse 22 22By works was faith made perfect (119) By this he again shews, that the question here is not respecting the cause of our salvation, but whether works necessarily accompany faith; for in this sense it is said to have been perfected by works, because it was not idle. It is said to have been perfected by works, not because it received thence its own perfection, but because it was thus proved to be true. For the futile distinction which the Sophists draw from these words, between formed... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - James 2:14-26

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 2:14-26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:23

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:22

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