James 2:21
King James Version
8 Jun 2026
“Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?”
πατήρ
When Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, He begins with the most radical word imaginable — Father. In the ancient world, approaching God as Father was almost unthinkable. Jesus opens the door and says: this is how you come. Not as a subject before a king. As a child before a Father who already knows what you need.
υἱός
son
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υἱός
Son, descendant, one sharing the nature of. Huios. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Sonship through faith is the highest status available to a human being.
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δικαιόω
was justified
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δικαιόω
To justify, to declare righteous. Dikaioo. Being justified by faith we have peace with God. Justification is God's verdict. He declares guilty people righteous in Christ.
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ἔργον
works
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ἔργον
Work, deed, act. Ergon. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works. Good works are not the root of salvation. They are the fruit of it.
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θυσιαστήριον
altar?
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θυσιαστήριον
a place of sacrifice, i.e. an altar (special or genitive case, literal or figurative)
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Ἰσαάκ
Isaac
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Ἰσαάκ
Isaac (i.e. Jitschak), the son of Abraham
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