Skip to content

James 2:21

James 2:21
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

My Notes

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Baptist theologian, 1697–1771

Gill's Exposition

Was not Abraham our father justified by works,.... Not as the causes of his justification, that is denied, Rom 4:2 but as effects of it, showing the truth of his faith, and the reality of his…

Presbyterian pastor, 1798–1870

Barnes' Notes

Was not Abraham our father - Our progenitor, our ancestor; using the word “father,” as frequently occurs in the Bible, to denote a remote ancestor. Compare the notes at Mat 1:1. A reference to his…

Methodist theologian, 1762–1832

Adam Clarke

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…

Nonconformist minister, 1662–1714

Matthew Henry

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…

Academic commentary, 1882–1921

Cambridge Bible

Was not Abraham our father justified by works The close correspondence of phraseology with Rom 4:2 at first seems to favour the view that St James is correcting or modifying St Paul's statement It is…