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.
Parallel translations
- WEB and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness”; and he was called the friend of God.
- BSB 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.
- NKJV And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
- NASB and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.
- NLT And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.
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
Scripture's word that Abraham believed God and was counted righteous was fulfilled, and he was called God's friend. His later obedience confirmed the faith long before credited to him.
Overview
James quotes Genesis 15:6—the same text Paul uses for justification by faith—showing that Abraham's faith was reckoned as righteousness before his works. The offering of Isaac "fulfilled" or fleshed out that declared righteousness. James and Paul are complementary: faith alone justifies before God, and works prove that faith is alive, marking Abraham as God's friend.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 20
- Gen 15:6And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
- Isa 41:8But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
- 2 Chr 20:7Art 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?
- Gal 3:6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
- Rom 4:22–24And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
- Exod 33:11And 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.
- Rom 4:3–6For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
- John 15:13–15Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
- Rom 11:2God 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,
- Gal 3:22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
- Gal 3:8–10And 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.
- Job 16:21O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!
- Rom 4:10–11How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
- Rom 9:17For 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.
- Luke 4:21And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
- Mark 15:27And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
- Mark 12:10And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:
- 1 Pet 2:6Wherefore 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.
- 2 Tim 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
- Acts 1:16Men 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.
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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.
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Original language
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