Abraham is one of the most celebrated figures in the Bible, revered for his profound faith in God. Both Paul and James reference Abraham’s life in the New Testament to illustrate theological points about faith, works, and justification. However, Paul emphasizes Abraham’s justification by faith, while James stresses that Abraham was also justified by his actions. On the surface, these passages may seem contradictory, but a closer look at the timeline of Abraham’s life reveals a harmonious relationship between faith and works. By examining the distinct stages of Abraham’s life and how his faith grew alongside his actions, we can see how both perspectives are valid and complementary.
Words: 1942 / Time to read: 10 minutes
“Was not our father Abraham justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.” (James 2:21-22)
Early Life and Call: Faith Begins with Obedience (Genesis 12)
In approximately 2100 BC, at the age of 75, Abraham received a divine call to leave his homeland in Haran and journey to a place that God would reveal to him. This was a remarkable act of faith, as it involved leaving behind family, security, and familiarity. Genesis 12:4 highlights Abraham’s immediate obedience: “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him…” This was not a leap in the dark but a decisive step based on a promise from God. By this act, Abraham demonstrated his willingness to trust in God’s plan despite having no physical evidence or details.
Paul’s reference to Abraham’s faith in Romans 4 begins with this act of obedience. Paul underscores that Abraham’s faith in God’s promise was counted as righteousness, not because of any work or effort but simply due to his belief in God’s word. This foundational act of faith laid the groundwork for the rest of Abraham’s life, as he learned to walk in obedience and trust.
“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’” (Romans 4:1-3)
Separation from Lot: Demonstrating Growing Faith (Genesis 13)
Following his initial obedience, Abraham faced another test when disputes arose between his herdsmen and those of his nephew Lot. Rather than claiming the best land for himself, Abraham chose to let Lot select his portion, showing his growing faith that God would provide regardless of his circumstances. Genesis 13:8-9 captures this moment as Abraham proposed, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me…for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you?”
This act of deference demonstrated Abraham’s trust in God’s provision and marked a shift in his priorities. Abraham’s willingness to give Lot the best land exemplified the maturity of his faith and foreshadowed his continued obedience to God, regardless of personal gain or loss. The incident with Lot was a pivotal moment that revealed Abraham’s growing character and willingness to sacrifice for others.
Justified by Faith: The Covenant Promise (Genesis 15)
The next major event in Abraham’s life occurs in Genesis 15, where God formally establishes His covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants as numerous as the stars. This promise seemed impossible given that Abraham and his wife, Sarah, were childless and advanced in years. However, Genesis 15:6 records that Abraham believed God’s promise, and it was “credited to him as righteousness.” Paul references this specific moment in Romans 4, highlighting that Abraham’s faith in God’s covenant was counted as righteousness independently of any works or actions.
This foundational act of belief—pure faith in God’s word—demonstrated Abraham’s unwavering trust. Even without any immediate evidence, Abraham chose to rely on God’s promise, establishing a defining moment in his spiritual journey. The timeline shows that this act of faith occurred over 30 years before the sacrificial event that James references, underscoring that Abraham’s justification by faith was distinct from any actions he later performed.
“Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16)
The Birth of Ishmael: Human Effort and God’s Faithfulness (Genesis 16)
Ten years after the initial promise, at age 86, Abraham fathered Ishmael through Hagar, Sarah’s servant. This action was an attempt to fulfill God’s promise through human means, as Sarah and Abraham assumed that God might intend for them to have descendants through another woman. The birth of Ishmael marked a detour in Abraham’s journey, demonstrating that even faithful individuals can misinterpret God’s will when relying on human wisdom.
Despite this deviation, God remained faithful to His original promise. The episode with Ishmael serves as a reminder that God’s promises are fulfilled on His terms, not through human effort. This phase of Abraham’s life shows that even when faith wavers, God’s grace continues to guide His people back to His plan.
The Sign of Circumcision: Faith Confirmed by Obedience (Genesis 17)
At age 99, God reaffirmed His covenant with Abraham, instructing him to circumcise himself and every male in his household as a sign of their covenant relationship. Abraham’s obedience to this command, described in Genesis 17:24, was a significant act of faith. Circumcision did not contribute to Abraham’s righteousness, but it visibly demonstrated his commitment to God’s covenant.
This act of obedience underscores the principle that genuine faith manifests in action. James later emphasizes that true faith is never stagnant; it expresses itself through works. In circumcising himself and his household, Abraham physically confirmed his belief in God’s promise, signifying his dedication and obedience.
The Birth of Isaac and the Culmination of Faith (Genesis 21-22)
The birth of Isaac, when Abraham was 100, represented the fulfillment of God’s promise. This event marked a high point in Abraham’s faith journey, validating that his trust in God was not misplaced. However, Abraham’s most significant test was yet to come. In Genesis 22, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, the very child through whom the covenant was to be fulfilled.
James references this act of obedience in his epistle, where he notes that Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac demonstrated the completeness of his faith: “Was not our father Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?” (James 2:21). This was not a contradiction of his initial justification by faith but rather a validation of that faith.
Hebrews 11:17-19 adds that Abraham believed God could raise Isaac from the dead, showing that his faith had matured to the point of complete reliance on God’s power. This act was the ultimate demonstration of Abraham’s faith, where his actions revealed the depth of his commitment to God’s promise.
“You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” (James 2:22)
The Harmony of Faith and Works
Paul and James are not presenting contradictory views but are emphasizing different aspects of faith and works. Paul, in Romans 4, speaks of Abraham’s initial justification by faith, emphasizing that righteousness before God comes from trust in His promises rather than human effort. James, on the other hand, highlights that genuine faith will inevitably manifest in works. Abraham’s faith was completed, or brought to full expression, by his obedience when he was willing to sacrifice Isaac.
Both apostles agree that faith is the foundation of a relationship with God, but true faith is never stagnant. Faith grows and expresses itself through actions. Abraham’s faith journey illustrates this dynamic relationship, where faith initiates justification before God, and works validate that faith before others and demonstrate its growth over time.
The distinction between Paul’s and James’s teachings can also be understood in terms of perspective. Paul addresses justification from God’s viewpoint, where faith alone is sufficient for righteousness. James, however, speaks from the perspective of human observation, where works demonstrate the reality of faith. This is why James asserts that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26), as works serve as the outward evidence of an inward reality.
“For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.” (Romans 2:13)
Conclusion: The Doctrinal Foundation of Faith and Works
Abraham’s life and journey of faith, along with Paul’s and James’s teachings, reveal that justification involves both a profound inner trust in God and an active obedience that evidences that trust. To conclude, we can turn to the following passages from Romans 4 and James 2, which, taken together, encapsulate the doctrine that faith and works are complementary aspects of a true relationship with God.
Romans 4:16-25
“Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: ‘I have made you a father of many nations.’ He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness.’
The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”
James 2:20-24
“You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 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. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.”
Together, these passages provide a complete picture of justification, showing that while we are justified before God by faith, the reality of that faith is demonstrated by our actions. Abraham’s life reveals that faith and works are not opposing doctrines but complementary expressions of a believer’s relationship with God. This unity between faith and works is a core biblical doctrine, affirming that genuine faith is always transformative, leading to a life of active obedience and trust in God.
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