Abraham Justified by Faith
1What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather4:1 Rm 1:3 according to the flesh, has found?4:1 Or What then shall we say? Have we found Abraham to be our forefather according to the flesh? or What, then, shall we say that Abraham our forefather found according to the flesh?
2If Abraham was justified4:2 Or was declared righteous, or was acquitted by works,4:2 1Co 1:31 he has something to boast about — but not before God.
David Celebrating the Same Truth
6Just as David also speaks of the blessing of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
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Blessed are those whose lawless acts are forgiven
and whose sins are covered.
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Blessed is the person
Abraham Justified before Circumcision
9Is this blessing only for the circumcised,4:9 Rm 3:30 then? Or is it also for the uncircumcised? For we say, Faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness.4:9Gn 15:64:9 Gn 15:6
10In what way, then, was it credited — while he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? It was not while he was circumcised, but uncircumcised.
11And he received the sign of circumcision4:11 Gn 17:10–11 as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith4:11 Lit righteousness of faith, also in v. 134:11 Jn 3:33 while still uncircumcised. This was to make him the father4:11 Lk 19:9 of all who believe4:11 Rm 3:22 but are not circumcised, so that righteousness may be credited to them also.
12And he became the father of the circumcised, who are not only circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith our father Abraham had while he was still uncircumcised.
The Promise Granted through Faith
16This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace,4:16 Rm 3:24 to guarantee it to all the descendants4:16 Rm 9:8; 15:8 — not only to the one who is of the law4:16 Or not to the one who is of the law only but also to the one who is of Abraham’s faith. He is the father of us all.
17As it is written: I have made you the father of many nations4:17Gn 17:54:17 Gn 17:5 — in the presence of the God in whom he believed, the one who gives life to the dead4:17 Jn 5:21 and calls4:17 Is 48:13; 51:2 things into existence that do not exist.4:17 1Co 1:28
18He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations4:18Gn 17:54:18 Gn 17:5 according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be.4:18 Gn 15:54:18 Gn 15:5
19He did not weaken in faith when he considered4:19 Other mss read He did not consider his own body to be already dead4:19 Heb 11:12 (since he was about a hundred years old)4:19 Gn 17:17 and also the deadness of Sarah’s womb.4:19 Gn 18:11
20He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,4:20 Mt 9:8
21because he was fully convinced4:21 Rm 14:5 that what God had promised, he was also able to do.4:21 Gn 18:14; Heb 11:19
23Now it was credited to him4:23Gn 15:6 was not written for Abraham alone,4:23 Rm 15:4; 1Co 9:9; 10:11; 2Tm 3:16
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