James points to Abraham, saying his faith was shown in action when he offered Isaac (James 2:21–22). He also uses Rahab as an example, noting she received and sent out the messengers by another way (James 2:25).
James points to two well-known stories to show what he means by “faith” that actually does something. Abraham’s trust is presented as working together with his actions when he offered Isaac, so that his trust reached its intended outcome. James says this action matched what Scripture already said about Abraham believing God. This unit sits inside James’s larger argument that a claimed belief must be tested by visible obedience and practical help. Just before this, James challenges the value of saying “I have faith” while refusing needed assistance, and he uses examples like mere agreement with basic truths to show that claims can be empty.
James uses Abraham and Rahab as concrete case studies to explain what he means by faith that is real. His key point is visible in the way he repeats “you see”: genuine trust in God is not merely asserted; it shows up in costly, observable actions (verses 21–22, 24–25).
A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.
Start with James 2:21-22, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
21Wasn`t Abraham, our father, justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
22You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected;