Matthew Poole and continuators on James 2:21

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar ?

Not only the Father of us, as Iews (for to them he wrote) and according to the Flesh, but as Believers, and according to the Promise; so all Believers are called Abraham's Children, Rom. 4.11. Gal. 3.7.

Found, or declared to be justified, not only before God, but in the Face of the VVorld; and his Faith (by which he had been justified above thirty years before, in the sight of God) now approved as a true, lively, justifying Faith, by this Proof he gave of it, upon God's trying him in the offering up his Son, Gen. 22.9, 12. Now I know that thou fearest God, &c. Abraham did fear God, and believe him before, and was justified before in the sight of God, but by the working of his Faith in so eminent an Act of Obedience, the Sincerity of all his Graces, and so of his Faith, was manifested, and made known, and so his Faith it self justified, as his Person was before, and he obtained this ample Testimony from the Mouth of God himself. So that Abraham's Justification here, was not the Absolution of a Sinner, but the solemn Approbation of a Believer; not a justifying him as ungodly, but commending him for his Godliness. He was by his Works justified as a righteous person, but not made righteous, or constituted in a justified state, by his Works. The Design of the Apostle is not to shew how Sinners are justified in God's Court, but only what kind of Faith it is whereby they are justified, viz. such a one as purifies the Heart, Acts 15.9. and looks to Christ, not only as made Righteousness, but Sanctification to them, 1 Cor. 1.30. and consequently not only rests on him for Justification, but stirs them up to yield Obedience to him.

Viz. in his firm Purpose and Resolution, and was about to do it actually, had not God hindred him. It was no fault in Abraham, that it was not actually done, and therefore it was counted to him, as if it had been really done, Gen. 22.12. Heb. 11.17.

This shews the setled purpose of Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, when he proceeded so far as to bind him, and lay him upon the Altar; for that argues, that he expected, and intended nothing but his Death, which generally was wont to follow in Sacrifices, when once laid upon the Altar.