James 2:23

Genesis 15:6 was "fulfilled" when Abraham offered Isaac in the sense that Abraham’s faith became abundantly clear on that occasion. What God had said about Abraham became obviously true when the patriarch trusted and obeyed God when tested.

"In the sacrifice of Isaac was shown the full meaning of the word (Genesis 15:6) spoken . . . years before in commendation of Abraham’s belief in the promise of a child." [Note: Mayor, p. 104.]

James seems to have included the fact that God called Abraham His friend for the following reason. He wanted to show that continued obedient faith, not just initial saving faith, is what makes a person God’s intimate friend (cf. James 4:4; 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; John 14:21; John 15:14).

"When a man is justified by faith he finds an unqualified acceptance before God . . . (Romans 4:6). But only God can see this spiritual transaction. When, however, a man is justified by works he achieves an intimacy with God that is manifest to men. He can then be called ’the friend of God,’ even as Jesus said, ’You are my friends if you do whatever I command you’ (John 15:14)." [Note: Hodges, The Gospel . . ., p. 31. See also Fanning, p. 429.]

Why did James bring Abraham into his argument? Abraham is a clear example that it is possible to be declared righteous by God but not to be declared righteous by one’s works. It was as Abraham continued to live by faith (continued to trust and obey God) that, about 20 years after his justification by faith in God, his works declared that he was righteous. By continuing to trust and obey God, as Abraham did, James’ Christian readers could also validate their justification by faith in God by their good works and become true friends of God.