James 2:25

James 2:25 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
• New International Version (NIV)In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
• English Standard Version (ESV)And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
• New King James Version (NKJV)Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

Context of James 2:25

23And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. 24So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

James 2:25 word by word

Ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ Ῥαὰβ ἡ πόρνη οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων ἐδικαιώθη ὑποδεξαμένη τοὺς ἀγγέλους καὶ ἑτέρᾳ ὁδῷ ἐκβαλοῦσα;Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·δέde · thenG1161
• Likewiseὁμοίωςhomoiōs · similarlyG3668
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• wasδικαιόωdikaioō · to justifyG1344
• notοὐou · noG3756
• RahabῬαάβRhaab · RahabG4460
• the harlotὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the harlotπόρνηpornē · prostituteG4204
• byἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• worksἔργονergon · workG2041
• when she had receivedὑποδέχομαιhupodechomai · to receiveG5264
• the messengersἄγγελοςaggelos · angel: messengerG32
• had sentἐκβάλλωekballō · to expelG1544
• anotherἕτεροςheteros · otherG2087
• wayὁδόςhodos · roadG3598

Cross-references for James 2:25

• Joshua 2:1Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, “Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.” So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night.
• Matthew 1:5Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse.
• Matthew 21:31“Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.
• James 2:18Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
• Joshua 2:19If they go out into the street and are killed, it will not be our fault. But if anyone lays a hand on people inside this house, we will accept the responsibility for their death.
• Joshua 6:17Jericho and everything in it must be completely destroyed as an offering to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and the others in her house will be spared, for she protected our spies.
• Hebrews 11:31It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

Commentaries on James 2:25

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 25Rahab the harlot - See the notes on Joshua 2:1, etc., and Hebrews 11:31; (note), etc. Rahab had the approbation due to genuine faith, which she actually possessed, and gave the fullest proof that she did so by her conduct. As justification signifies, not only the pardon of sin, but receiving the Divine approbation, James seems to use the word in this latter sense. God approved of them, because of their obedience to his will; and he approves of no man who…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works? - In the same sense in which Abraham was, as explained above - showing by her act that her faith was genuine, and that it was not a mere cold and speculative assent to the truths of religion. Her act showed that she truly believed God. If that act had not been performed, the fact would have shown that her faith was not genuine, and she could not have been justified. God saw her faith as it was; he…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-26Verses 14-26 Those are wrong who put a mere notional belief of the gospel for the whole of evangelical religion, as many now do. No doubt, true faith alone, whereby men have part in Christ's righteousness, atonement, and grace, saves their souls; but it produces holy fruits, and is shown to be real by its effect on their works; while mere assent to any form of doctrine, or mere historical belief of any facts, wholly differs from this saving faith. A bare…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 25James uses Rahab the prostitute (see Joshua 2:1) as an example that good deeds must accompany true faith. She declared her belief that the Lord God of Israel was the only God (Joshua 2:9–11). Her actions completed her faith. This happened when she hosted and helped the Israelite spies escape (Joshua 2:1–6; 6:25; Hebrews 11:31).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2525. It is clear from the nature of Rahab's act, that it is not quoted to prove justification by works as such. She believed assuredly what her other countrymen disbelieved, and this in the face of every improbability that an unwarlike few would conquer well-armed numbers. In this belief she hid the spies at the risk of her life. Hence He 11:31 names this as an example of faith, rather than of obedience. "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them…Read the comment

Topics related to James 2:25

• Faith
• Hypocrisy
• Rahab
• Religion
• Righteousness

In the dictionaries

• Rahab
• Rahab, or Rachab
• Convince
• Dead
• Draw
• Harlot
• Justify
• Offend
• Respect
• Rich

Commentaries on James 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings