“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.”
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 — the citation from Genesis 15:6 demonstrates that Abraham's faith itself was 'credited as righteousness' (elogisthē autō eis dikaiosynēn), yet James shows this faith was the kind that expressed itself in obedience (Gen. 22). The dual fulfillment shows that Abraham's belief was vindicated and his righteousness confirmed when he acted. The title 'God's friend' (philos theou) represents the ultimate relational consequence of faithful obedience.
Church Fathers on James 2:23
And that man was not justified by these things, but that they were given as a sign to the people, this fact shows — that Abraham himself, without circumcision and without observance of Sabbaths, believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God. James 2:23 Then, again, Lot, without circumcision, was brought out from Sodom, receiving salvation from God. So also did Noah, pleasing God, although he was uncircumcised, receive the…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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