James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called a friend of God.

◄ James 2:23 ►

New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.

English Standard Version
and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

Berean Standard Bible
And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.

Berean Literal Bible
And the Scripture was fulfilled, saying, "And Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness," and he was called a friend of God.

King James Bible
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

New King James Version
And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.

New American Standard Bible
and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called a friend of God.

NASB 1995
and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God.

NASB 1977
and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS COUNTED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God.

Amplified Bible
And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND THIS [faith] WAS CREDITED TO HIM [by God] AS RIGHTEOUSNESS and AS CONFORMITY TO HIS WILL,” and he was called the friend of God.

Christian Standard Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.

American Standard Version
and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.

Contemporary English Version
This is what the Scriptures mean by saying, "Abraham had faith in God, and God accepted him." That's how Abraham became God's friend.

English Revised Version
and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Scripture passage came true. It says, "Abraham believed God, and that faith was regarded by God to be his approval of Abraham." So Abraham was called God's friend.

Good News Translation
And the scripture came true that said, "Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous." And so Abraham was called God's friend.

International Standard Version
And so the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." And so he was called God's friend.

Majority Standard Bible
And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.

NET Bible
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness," and he was called God's friend.

New Heart English Bible
and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness;" and he was called the friend of God.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Weymouth New Testament
and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And Abraham believed God, and his faith was placed to his credit as righteousness," and he received the name of 'God's friend.'

World English Bible
So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the Writing was fulfilled that is saying, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness”; and, “Friend of God” he was called.

Berean Literal Bible
And the Scripture was fulfilled, saying, "And Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness," and he was called a friend of God.

Young's Literal Translation
and fulfilled was the Writing that is saying, 'And Abraham did believe God, and it was reckoned to him -- to righteousness;' and, 'Friend of God' he was called.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the writing was completed, saying, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for justice: and he was called the Friend of God.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the scripture was fulfilled, saying: Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him to justice, and he was called the friend of God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so the Scripture was fulfilled which says: “Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice.” And so he was called the friend of God.

New American Bible
Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called “the friend of God.”

New Revised Standard Version
Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the scripture was fulfilled which said, Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And the Scripture was fulfilled which said,”Abraham believed in God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness”, and he was called the friend of God.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
And the scripture was fulfilled, which says, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God.

Godbey New Testament
and the scripture was fulfilled, saying, And Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God.

Haweis New Testament
And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, “Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness;” and he was called “the friend of God.”

Mace New Testament
it was then, that those words of scripture were accomplished, "Abraham believed God, and he was regarded for it as a man of virtue, and was the favourite of God."

Weymouth New Testament
and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And Abraham believed God, and his faith was placed to his credit as righteousness," and he received the name of 'God's friend.'

Worrell New Testament
and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness"; and he was called "God's Friend."

Worsley New Testament
And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Faith and Works
…22You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did. 23And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “ Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. 24As you can see, a man is justified by his deeds and not by faith alone.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Genesis 15:6
Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.

Romans 4:3
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Galatians 3:6
So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Hebrews 11:17-19
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, / even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death.

Romans 4:22
This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”

2 Chronicles 20:7
Our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend?

Isaiah 41:8
“But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend—

John 15:14-15
You are My friends if you do what I command you. / No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.

1 John 3:23
And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us.

Romans 4:5
However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.

Galatians 3:9
So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Hebrews 11:8-10
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. / By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

2 Peter 1:1
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:

John 8:39
“Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham.

Romans 3:28
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Treasury of Scripture

And the scripture was fulfilled which said, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

the scripture.

Mark 12:10
And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

Mark 15:28
And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

Luke 4:21
And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Abraham.

Genesis 15:6
And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Romans 4:3-6,10,11,22-24
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness…

Galatians 3:6
Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

the Friend.

Exodus 33:11
And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

2 Chronicles 20:7
Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

Job 16:21
O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!

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James 2

1. Do not regard the rich and despise the poor brothers;
13. rather we are to be loving and merciful;
14. and not to boast of faith without deeds;
17. because faith without deeds is useless;
19. as is the faith of the demons;
21. however, Abraham displayed both faith and actions;
25. as did Rahab.

Berean Study Bible

And the Scripture was fulfilled
This phrase emphasizes the divine orchestration and reliability of Scripture. The Greek word for "fulfilled" is "plēroō," which means to complete or bring to realization. This indicates that the events in Abraham's life were not random but part of God's sovereign plan, demonstrating the consistency and truth of God's Word throughout history. The fulfillment of Scripture here underscores the unity of the Old and New Testaments, showing that the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament find their completion in the New Testament narrative.

that says
This phrase introduces a direct quotation from the Old Testament, specifically Genesis 15:6. The use of "says" in the present tense highlights the living and active nature of Scripture. It is not merely a historical document but a dynamic word that continues to speak to believers today. This reflects the belief in the inerrancy and timeless relevance of the Bible, a cornerstone of conservative Christian theology.

'Abraham believed God
The focus here is on Abraham's faith. The Greek word for "believed" is "pisteuō," which means to have faith or trust. Abraham's belief was not a mere intellectual assent but a deep, personal trust in God's promises. This faith is foundational to the Christian doctrine of justification by faith, as it illustrates that righteousness is granted not by works but through faith in God. Abraham's example serves as a model for believers, showing that faith is the key to a right relationship with God.

and it was credited to him as righteousness
The term "credited" comes from the Greek "logizomai," meaning to reckon or account. This accounting metaphor signifies that God, in His grace, counts faith as righteousness. This is a pivotal concept in Christian theology, emphasizing that righteousness is not earned but imputed by God through faith. The idea of imputed righteousness is central to the doctrine of justification, affirming that believers are declared righteous before God because of their faith, not their deeds.

and he was called a friend of God
This phrase highlights the intimate relationship between Abraham and God. The term "friend" in this context is profound, indicating a close, personal relationship characterized by mutual respect and love. In the ancient Near Eastern context, being called a "friend of God" was a high honor, signifying a special status and favor with the divine. This relationship is a testament to the transformative power of faith, showing that through faith, believers can enter into a personal and loving relationship with God, much like Abraham did. This serves as an encouragement for Christians to cultivate a deep, personal relationship with God through faith and obedience.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23) The scripture was fulfilled.--Namely, that earlier declaration of God (Genesis 15:6) when the childless Abraham, with only a Syrian slave for his heir, trusted in the divine promise that his own seed should be as the number of the stars of heaven.

Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness.--He proved his faith by obedience, when he freely gave back to the Giver his son, the heir of all the promise.

The Friend of God.--Amatus a Deo--beloved of Him, not the friend to God, nor lover of Him, as some have hastily imagined. It is not an exact quotation from the Hebrew Bible, though the substance thereof may be found in Isaiah 41:8. The term was traditional throughout the East, and is used by the Arabs as descriptive of the patriarch to this day.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 23. - And he was called the Friend of God. The expression comes from Isaiah 41:8; 2 Chronicles 20:7 (in the Hebrew, א; LXX., ὅν ἠγάπησα τῷ ἠγαπημένῳ σου). The same title, φίλος Θεοῦ, is given to Abraham by Clement of Rome ('Ad Corinthians,' 10; 17.), and was evidently a standing one among the Jews. Philo actually in one instance quotas Genesis 18:17 as Ἀβραὰμ τοῦ φίλου μου instead of ποῦ παιδός μου. Illustrations from later rabbinical writers may be found in Wetstein, and cf. Bishop Lightfoot on 'Clement of Rome,' p. 61. To this day it is said that Abraham is known among the Arabs as El Khalil, equivalent to "the Friend."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
ἡ (hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Scripture
γραφὴ (graphē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1124: (a) a writing, (b) a passage of scripture; plur: the scriptures. A document, i.e. Holy Writ.

was fulfilled
ἐπληρώθη (eplērōthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4137: From pleres; to make replete, i.e. to cram, level up, or to furnish, satisfy, execute, finish, verify, etc.

that
ἡ (hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

says,
λέγουσα (legousa)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“Abraham
Ἀβραὰμ (Abraam)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 11: Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.

believed
Ἐπίστευσεν (Episteusen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.

God,
Θεῷ (Theō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

it was credited
ἐλογίσθη (elogisthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3049: To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose.

to him
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

as
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

righteousness,”
δικαιοσύνην (dikaiosynēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1343: From dikaios; equity; specially justification.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

he was called
ἐκλήθη (eklēthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.

a friend
φίλος (philos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5384: Friendly; subst: a friend, an associate. Properly, dear, i.e. A friend; actively, fond, i.e. Friendly.

of God.
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

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NT Letters: James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says (Ja Jas. Jam)