King James Bible
"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God."
James references Genesis 15:6, showing how Abraham's earlier act of faith reached its full expression through his willingness to sacrifice Isaac. The term 'fulfilled' suggests that scripture's meaning becomes complete through lived obedience, not mere intellectual assent. This quotes the pivotal moment when Abraham's trust in God's promise was credited as righteousness—a judicial declaration of right standing. James emphasizes that this faith was never passive but actively demonstrated through Abraham's works. This extraordinary title appears in 2 Chronicles 20:7 and Isaiah 41:8, marking Abraham's unique relationship with God characterized by mutual trust and communication. The designation crowns James's argument that genuine faith produces a transformed relationship, not just a legal status.