ISB ~ James 2 v23

Abraham believed God:A quotation from Gen 15:6.

• This is the one explicit text in Genesis that refers to Abraham’s faith, though his belief and trust in God are evident throughout. Here he believes in the promise of a son, despite his old age and the barrenness of his elderly wife (Gen 16:1; 18:11). Reading the passage in light of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac, James concludes that belief and behavior go together. So faith in God is inseparable from faithfulness to God, even in the most trying circumstances of life.

friend of God:The background of this title is probably found in 2 Chron 20:7 and Is 41:8.