Abraham Justified by Faith
WHAT shall we say then, that Abraham our father (as pertaining to the flesh) has found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he has something to boast; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that works, the reward is not accounted in relation to grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that works not, but believes in him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also described the joy of the man, to whom God accounts righteousness without works:
7 “Joyful are they whose lawlessness is forgiven,
and whose sins are covered.
8 Joyful is the man to whom the Lord will not account sin.”
Circumcision or Uncircumcision?
9 ¶ As a result is this joy for the circumcision only, or for the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How was it then accounted? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith. That he being uncircumcised, might be the father of all those that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be accounted to them also.
12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of faith of our father Abraham, which he had being still uncircumcised.
Abrahams Faith not Law
13 ¶ For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of no effect:
15 Because the law works wrath: for where there is no law, there can be no disobedience.
16 Therefore from faith, that it might be by his kindness. So that the promise might be sure to all his seed; not to them only of the law, but to those also of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
17 As it is written:
“I have made you a father of many nations.”
¶ In the presence of him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead, and calls those things which are not, as though they exist.
18 Who against hope, in hope believed that he might become the father of many nations; in accordance to that which was spoken: “Thus shall your seed be.”
19 And not being weak in faith, he considered his own body now not dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither the deadness of Sara’s womb:
20 Concerning the promise of God he disputed not through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully confident that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 And therefore it was accounted to him for righteousness.
23 ¶ Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was accounted to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be accounted, if we believe in him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was handed over for our transgressions, and was raised to life for our justification.