Romans 4:1-12 - Abraham's Faith Counted As Righteousness
1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our earthly forefather, has gained? 2 For if he was held to be righteous on the ground of his actions, he has something to boast of; but not in the presence of God. 3 For what says the Scripture? "And Abraham believed God, and this was placed to his credit as righteousness."
4 But in the case of a man who works, pay is not reckoned a favour but a debt; 5 whereas in the case of a man who pleads no actions of his own, but simply believes in Him who declares the ungodly free from guilt, his faith is placed to his credit as righteousness.
6 In this way David also tells of the blessedness of the man to whose credit God places righteousness, apart from his actions.
7 "Blessed," he says, "are those whose iniquities have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered over. 8 Blessed is the man of whose sin the Lord will not take account."
9 This declaration of blessedness, then, does it come simply to the circumcised, or to the uncircumcised as well? For Abraham's faith--so we affirm--was placed to his credit as righteousness. 10 What then were the circumstances under which this took place? Was it after he had been circumcised, or before? 11 Before, not after. And he received circumcision as a sign, a mark attesting the reality of the faith-righteousness which was his while still uncircumcised, that he might be the forefather of all those who believe even though they are uncircumcised--in order that this righteousness might be placed to their credit; 12 and the forefather of the circumcised, namely of those who not merely are circumcised, but also walk in the steps of the faith which our forefather Abraham had while he was as yet uncircumcised.