James 2:21

ἐδικαιώθη. The strict meaning of δικαιοῦν is to make δίκαιος, so to justify or acquit. The further meaning ‘to regard as righteous’ is not etymologically justifiable and rests on supposed theological necessity. But the theology of this Epistle and indeed of the N.T. generally points to the possibility of τελειότης by an exact conformity to God’s will such as Abraham exhibited.

ἀνενέγκας, comp. Genesis 22:9 ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐκεῖ Ἀβραὰμ τὸ θυσιαστήριον, Genesis 22:13 ἀνήνεγκεν εἰς ὁλοκάρπωσιν�, and so frequently of the sacrifices of the old covenant. In N.T. of the sacrifice of Christ: τοῦτο γὰρ ἐποίησεν ἑφάπαξ ἑαυτὸν� (al. προσενέγκας), Hebrews 7:27; ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν αὐτὸς�, 1 Peter 2:24 : of spiritual sacrifices, ἀνενέγκαι πνευματικὰς θυσίας εὐπροσδέκτους θεῷ διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, 1 Peter 2:5. In liturgical language the ἀναφορά in the Eastern Church, answering to the Canon of the Western Church, signified the second portion of the Eucharistic service in which the consecration of the Elements and the Communion are included.

θυσιαστήριον, the altar of Jehovah is carefully distinguished from βωμός an altar of false gods both in LXX. and in N.T. where βωμός occurs once only, Acts 17:23 βωμὸν ἐν ᾧ ἐπεγέγραπτο�.