2:23a
And: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And connects 2:23 to 2:21–22. Verse 2:23 gives two results of Abraham’s deed of offering Isaac in 2:21. The results were:
(a) the scripture was fulfilled
(b) Abraham was called God’s friend
Some other ways to connect 2:23 to 2:21–22 are:
And so (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
In this way (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
That is how
the Scripture: The phrase the Scripture refers to something that was written in the Old Testament. In this case, the words that James quoted are from Genesis 15:6. These words refer to events that took place about thirty years before Abraham offered Isaac to God.
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
what was written in God’s book
-or-
God’s written words
-or-
the word of God that someone/Moses wrote
This phrase also occurs in 2:8b. See the note there for more information.
was fulfilled: There are at least two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was fulfilled:
(1) It means that the Scripture was fully shown and demonstrated to be true. According to this interpretation, when Abraham offered Isaac, his action was the best possible illustration that what the scripture said about him was true. His action clearly showed that he believed/trusted God and that he was righteous (Genesis 15:6).
(2) It means that the Scripture became true. According to this interpretation, God’s words in Genesis 15:6 were a prophecy. This prophecy was fulfilled when Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice.
For example, the Good News Translation says:
And the scripture came true that said,…
(New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Good News Translation, God’s Word)
Many English versions translate this Greek word as “was fulfilled” and probably imply interpretation (2). However, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most commentators follow this interpretation. The quoted Scripture verse is not a prophecy or promise that needed to come true. It is a statement that was already true when spoken thirty years before Abraham was willing to offer Isaac as a sacrifice.
Some ways to translate this entire clause are:
And so the scripture was shown/demonstrated to be true that says
-or-
This fits/agrees perfectly with the Scripture that says
-or-
His action is a good/excellent example of the Scripture that says
-or-
And so his action perfectly demonstrated his trust in God as described in the scripture that says
2:23b–c
Verse 2:23b–c is a quotation of Genesis 15:6. If you have already translated the book of Genesis, you will probably want to quote that verse here just as you translated it there.
2:23b
Abraham believed God: The word believed here means “trusted in” or “relied on.” Abraham believed God’s promise in Genesis 15:5 that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. In other words, he accepted God’s promise as true.
He believed God’s promise because of his deep level of trust in God and his loyalty to God. Abraham was confident that God would do what he had promised to do. He trusted God even when the promise seemed very difficult or impossible in human terms.
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
had confidence/faith in God
-or-
trusted God
-or-
relied/depended on God
-or-
trusted/believed that God could do what he promised
2:23c
it was credited to him as righteousness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was credited means “regarded” or “considered.” The word it refers to Abraham’s faith in God (2:22b). So the clause it was credited to him as righteousness means that God considered Abraham righteous on the basis of his faith.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
because of that, he was considered by God to be just/righteous
-or-
because of his faith God accepted him as righteous (Good News Translation)
-or-
so God declared him to be righteous (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
was credited: The verb was credited is passive. There are at least two ways to translate it:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
that faith was counted to him as righteousness (Revised English Bible)
• Use an active verb. God is the one who credited Abraham’s faith as righteousness. For example:
God declared him to be righteous (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
righteousness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as righteousness means “doing what is right and good in God’s sight.” God considered Abraham to have done what was good and right.
The word righteousness here is closely related in form and meaning to the word that is translated as “justified by” in 2:21b, 2:24b, and 2:25b. If possible, you may want to translate them in a similar way so it is clear that they are related.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
it was credited to him by God as right behavior
-or-
and that faith made him right with God (New Century Version)
-or-
God declared him to have done what is right
-or-
he was considered a person who lived the kind of life that God desires
-or-
God approved Abraham
2:23d
and: Verse 2:23d is a result of 2:23b–c. The word and may give the impression that 2:23d is another part of the quoted scripture in 2:23b–c. But it is not. Notice the closing quotes at the end of 2:23c. Some ways to make this clear are:
And so (Good News Translation)
-or-
As a result
he was called a friend of God: In Isaiah 41:8 God called Abraham “my friend.” (See also 2 Chronicles 20:7.)
The verb was called is passive. There are at least two ways to translate it.
• Use a passive verb. For example:
Abraham was called God’s friend (Good News Translation)
• Use an active verb. For example:
God called him “my friend”
-or-
he was God’s friend
© 2012 by SIL International®
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.