unfoldingWord_en_tn/jas/02/21.md

General Information:

Since these are Jewish believers, they know the story of Abraham, about whom God had told them long ago in his word.

Was not Abraham our father justified ... on the altar?

This rhetorical question is used to rebut the foolish man's arguments from James 2:18, who refuses to believe that faith and works go together. Alternate translation: "Abraham our father was certainly justified ... on the altar." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion)

justified by works

James speaks of works as if they were objects that one can own. Alternate translation: "justified by doing good deeds" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)

father

Here "father" is used in the sense of "ancestor."