Romans 4:1-12 - Abraham's Faith Counted As Righteousness
1 What then, it may be asked, are we to say about Abraham, the ancestor of our nation? 2 If he was pronounced righteous as the result of obedience, then he has something to boast of. Yes, but not before God. 3 For what are the words of Scripture? 'Abraham had faith in God, and his faith was regarded by God as righteousness.'
4 Now wages are regarded as due to the man who works, not as a favor, but as a debt; 5 While, as for the man who does not rely upon his obedience, but has faith in him who can pronounce the godless righteous, his faith is regarded by God as righteousness.
6 In precisely the same way David speaks of the blessing pronounced upon the man who is regarded by God as righteous apart from actions--
7 'Blessed are those whose wrong-doings have been forgiven and over whose sins a veil has been drawn! 8 Blessed the man whom the Lord will never regard as sinful!'
9 Is this blessing, then, pronounced upon the circumcised only or upon the uncircumcised as well? We say that-'Abraham's faith was regarded by God as righteousness.' 10 Under what circumstances, then, did this take place? After his circumcision or before it? 11 Not after, but before. And it was as a sign of this that he received the rite of circumcision-to attest the righteousness due to the faith of an uncircumcised man-in order that he might be the father of all who have faith in God even when uncircumcised, that they also may be regarded by God as righteous; 12 As well as father of the circumcised-to those who are not only circumcised, but who also follow our father Abraham in that faith which he had while still uncircumcised.