James 2:25

25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

James 2:25 in Other Translations

25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?

25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road.

25 The same with Rahab, the Jericho harlot. Wasn't her action in hiding God's spies and helping them escape - that seamless unity of believing and doing - what counted with God?

25 And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way?

25 The same is true of the prostitute Rahab who welcomed the spies and sent them away on another road. She received God's approval because of what she did.

25 And in the same way, wasn't Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by a different route?

25 Didn't God make even Rahab the prostitute right with him? That's because of what she did. She gave the spies a place to stay. Then she sent them off in a different direction.

James 2:25 Meaning and Commentary

James 2:25

Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot
(See Gill on Hebrews 11:31) justified by works; this woman was an instance of the grace of God in calling the chief of sinners, and was a true believer; and what she did, she did in faith, ( Hebrews 11:31 ) and her faith was shown by her works to be true and genuine; and it was manifest that she was a justified person. This instance is produced with the other, to show, that wherever there is true faith, whether in Jew or Gentile, in man or woman, in greater or lesser believers, or in such who have been greater or lesser sinners, there will be good works; and therefore that person is a vain man that talks and boasts of his faith, and depends upon it, and slights and rejects good works as unnecessary to be done.

When she had received the messengers:
the spies that Joshua sent, into her house, with peace and safety:

and had sent them out another way;
than they came in, even through the window upon the town wall, ( Joshua 2:1 Joshua 2:15 ) .

James 2:25 In-Context

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.

25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Cross References

• 1. S Hebrews 11:31