Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - James 2:23 - 2:23
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Was fulfilled (eplērōthē). First aorist passive indicative of plēroō, the usual verb for fulfilling Scripture. So James quotes Gen 15:6 as proving his point in Jam 2:21 that Abraham had works with his faith, the very same passage that Paul quotes in Rom 4:3 to show that Abraham’s faith preceded his circumcision and was the basis of his justification. And both James and Paul are right, each to illustrate a different point.
And he was called the friend of God (kai philos theou eklēthē). First aorist passive indicative of kalēo. Not a part of the Scripture quoted. Philo calls Abraham the friend of God and see Jubilees 19:9; 30:20. The Arabs today speak of Abraham as God’s friend. It was evidently a common description before James used it, as in Isa 41:8; 2Ch 20:7.