James 2:21

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Was not our forefather Abraham made right with God by deeds [of obedience] when he offered his son Isaac [as a sacrifice] on the Altar?

Cross References

Matthew 12:37

For you will be considered righteous by the words [you speak] and you will be condemned by the words [you speak].”

Matthew 3:9

and quit thinking to yourselves, we claim Abraham as our forefather, because I tell you, God is able to make Abraham’s children out of these stones.

Luke 1:73

[This Agreement was] the oath by which He swore to Abraham, our forefather,

Luke 16:24

And he shouted out, ‘Forefather Abraham, take pity on me and send Lazarus [to me], so he can dip the tip of his finger in water [and touch] my tongue to cool it, because I am in agony in these flames.’

Luke 16:30

Then the rich man said, ‘No, forefather Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, [then] they will repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives].’

John 8:39

They answered Him, “Our forefather was Abraham.” Jesus replied to them, “If you were Abraham’s descendants, you would do the [kinds of] deeds that Abraham did.

John 8:53

Are you greater [i.e., more important] than our forefather Abraham and the prophets, who [all] died? Who do you think you are?”

Acts 7:2

And he answered, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me: Our glorious God appeared to our forefather Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, [even] before he lived in Haran

Romans 3:20

This is because no human being can be considered right with God by [obeying] the requirements of a law. [Note: It is difficult to determine the exact sense in which “law” is used in these verses. It may be law generally, or the Law of Moses specifically. See Bruce, pages 52-58]. For the knowledge of what sin is comes from the Law of Moses.

Romans 4:1

What should we say then [about what] our forefather Abraham discovered?

Romans 4:12

And he also became the father of circumcised people [i.e., the Jews], who are not only circumcised, but who also follow the [same] example of faith [in God] which our forefather Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Romans 4:16

For this reason, the promise [i.e., of being made right with God] comes through faith [in God], according to His unearned favor, so that it may be [given] with certainty to all of Abraham’s descendants. The promise is given not only to those [who live] under the law [i.e., the Jews], but also to [all] those [who live] by faith, like Abraham. Abraham is the [spiritual] father of all of us [believers],

Hebrews 11:17

By [having] faith, when Abraham was tested [by God], he offered Isaac [as a sacrifice]. [Even though] he had received the promises [of having many descendants], he was ready to offer his only conceived [and eventually born] son,

James 2:18

But someone may say, “You have faith and I have [good] deeds.” [I reply], show me your faith without your [good] deeds, and I will show you my faith by my [good] deeds.

James 2:24

[So], you see, it is by deeds that a person is made right with God, and not by faith alone.