Romans 4:1-12 - Abraham's Faith Counted As Righteousness

¹ What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather humanly speaking, has found? [Has he obtained a favored standing?] ² For if Abraham was justified [that is, acquitted from the guilt of his sins] by works [those things he did that were good], he has something to boast about, but not before God. ³ For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed in (trusted, relied on) God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness (right living, right standing with God).”

⁴ Now to a laborer, his wages are not credited as a favor or a gift, but as an obligation [something owed to him]. ⁵ But to the one who does not work [that is, the one who does not try to earn his salvation by doing good], but believes and completely trusts in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God).

⁶ And in this same way David speaks of the blessing on the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

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“Blessed and happy and favored are those whose lawless acts have been forgiven,
And whose sins have been covered up and completely buried.
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“Blessed and happy and favored is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account nor charge against him.”

⁹ Is this blessing only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say, “Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.” ¹⁰ How then was it credited [to him]? Was it after he had been circumcised, or before? Not after, but while [he was] uncircumcised. ¹¹ He received the sign of circumcision, a seal or confirmation of the righteousness which he had by faith while [he was still] uncircumcised—this was so that he would be the [spiritual] father of all who believe without being circumcised—so that righteousness would be credited to them, ¹² and [that he would be] the [spiritual] father of those circumcised who are not only circumcised, but who also walk in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had before he was circumcised.