20 [a]But wilt thou understand, O thou vain man, that the faith which is without works, is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father [b]justified through works, (A)when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou not that the faith [c]wrought with his works? and through the works was the faith made [d]perfect.

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Footnotes

  1. James 2:20 The third reason from the example of Abraham, who no doubt had a true faith: but he in offering his son, showed himself to have that faith which was not void of works, and therefore he received a true testimony when it was said, that faith was imputed to him for righteousness.
  2. James 2:21 Was he not by his works known and found to be justified? for he speaketh not here of the causes of justification, but by what effects we may know that a man is justified.
  3. James 2:22 Was effectual and fruitful with good works.
  4. James 2:22 That the faith was declared to be a true faith, and that by works.

20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]?(A) 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?(B) 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together,(C) and his faith was made complete by what he did.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. James 2:20 Some early manuscripts dead