James 2:22

22 You see that his faith was helping his works and was made complete by them;

James 2:22 Meaning and Commentary

James 2:22

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works
Not to justify him before God; for neither faith nor works are ever said in Scripture to justify any man; but his faith being of the right kind, a faith which works by love, it put him upon doing this work, and many others; for this was done in faith, ( Hebrews 11:17-19 ) as all good works are, which are properly such; and where there is true faith, it will influence and engage a man to do good works, as it did Abraham.

And by works was faith made perfect?
not with an absolute perfection; for though Abraham's faith was very great, yet there were things lacking in it, and he had his fits and times of unbelief; and had he lived till now, his faith, in this sense, would not have been perfect; and he would have had reason to have used the apostle's petition, ( Luke 17:5 ) much less would it have been made thus perfect by works; but the sense is, that hereby his faith was declared to be sincere, unfeigned, true, and genuine; just as love is said to be perfected, ( 1 John 4:17 ) .

James 2:22 In-Context

20 Do you not see, O foolish man, that faith without works is of no use?

21 Was not the righteousness of Abraham our father judged by his works, when he made an offering of Isaac his son on the altar?

22 You see that his faith was helping his works and was made complete by them;

23 And the holy Writings were put into effect which said, And Abraham had faith in God and it was put to his account as righteousness; and he was named the friend of God.

24 You see that a man's righteousness is judged by his works and not by his faith only.