You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did.
Parallel translations
- WEB You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected;
- KJV Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
- NKJV Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
- NASB You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
- NLT You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Abraham's faith worked together with his actions, and his faith was perfected by works. Faith and obedience cooperate and complete one another.
Overview
James explains that Abraham's faith was not idle but active, and that his works brought his faith to maturity and full expression. Faith comes first and produces the works, which in turn confirm and complete it. This integrated picture shows that living faith and obedient deeds are partners, not rivals.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- 1 Th 1:3and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Heb 11:17–19By 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,
- 1 Jn 2:5But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him:
- Gal 5:6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.
- Jas 2:18But 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.
- 1 Jn 4:17–18In this way, love has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The wisdom from above and the royal law of love are the life of those who belong to 'our glorious Lord Jesus Christ' — faith in him made visible in works.
How James 2:22 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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