James 2:22

22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

James 2:22 in Other Translations

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;

22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.

22 Isn't it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are "works of faith"?

22 Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect;

22 You see that Abraham's faith and what he did worked together. His faith was shown to be genuine by what he did.

22 You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was perfected.

22 So you see that what he believed and what he did were working together. What he did made his faith complete.

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 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ?

21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.

24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

Cross References

• 1. Hebrews 11:17
• 2. 1 Thessalonians 1:3