Abraham Justified by Faith
(Genesis 15:1–7; Psalm 32:1–11; Hebrews 11:8–19)

1What then shall we say that Abraham (father of many), our forefather according to the flesh, has discovered? 2If Abraham (father of many) was indeed justified (rendered innocent) by works (acts), he had something to boast about, but not before God {Theon}. 3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham (father of many) believed (had faith) God {Theō}, and it was credited to him as righteousness <Gen 15:6>.”a

4Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation. 5However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6And David (beloved) speaks likewise of the blessedness of the man to whom God {Theos} credits righteousness apart from works (acts):

7“Blessed are they whose lawless acts are forgiven,

whose sins are covered.

8Blessed is the man

whose sin the Lord {Kyrios} will never count against him <Psa 32:1–2>.”b

9Is this blessing only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10In what context was it credited? Was it after his circumcision, or before? It was not after, but before.c

11And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father {patera} of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12And he is also the father {patera} of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham (father of many) had before he was circumcised.

Abraham Receives the Promise
(Genesis 15:8–21)

13For the promise to Abraham (father of many) and his offspring (seed) that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless, 15because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.

16Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring (seed)—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham (father of many). He is the father {patēr} of us all. 17As it is written: “I have made you a father {Patera} of many nations <Gen 17:5>.”d He is our father in the presence of God {Theou}, in whom he believed (had faith), the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist.

18Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed (had faith) and so became the father {patera} of many nations {ethnōn}, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring (seed) be <Gen 15:5>.”e 19Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. 20Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God {Theou}, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory {doxan} to God {Theō}, 21being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised. 22This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness <Gen 15:6>.”f

23Now the words “it was credited to him” were written not only for Abraham, 24but also for us, to whom righteousness will be credited—for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus (YHWH saves) our Lord {Kyrion} from the dead. 25He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification.