1What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather4:1 Rm 1:3 according to the flesh, has found?4:1 Or What then shall we say? Have we found Abraham to be our forefather according to the flesh? or What, then, shall we say that Abraham our forefather found according to the flesh?

2If Abraham was justified4:2 Or was declared righteous, or was acquitted by works,4:2 1Co 1:31 he has something to boast about — but not before God.

3For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness.4:3Gn 15:64:3 Gn 15:6; Gl 3:6; Jms 2:23

4Now to the one who works,4:4 Rm 11:6 pay is not credited as a gift, but as something owed.

5But to the one who does not work, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly,4:5 Jn 3:33; Rm 3:22 his faith is credited for righteousness.

6Just as David also speaks of the blessing of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

9Is this blessing only for the circumcised,4:9 Rm 3:30 then? Or is it also for the uncircumcised? For we say, Faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness.4:9Gn 15:64:9 Gn 15:6

10In what way, then, was it credited — while he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? It was not while he was circumcised, but uncircumcised.

11And he received the sign of circumcision4:11 Gn 17:10–11 as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith4:11 Lit righteousness of faith, also in v. 134:11 Jn 3:33 while still uncircumcised. This was to make him the father4:11 Lk 19:9 of all who believe4:11 Rm 3:22 but are not circumcised, so that righteousness may be credited to them also.

12And he became the father of the circumcised, who are not only circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith our father Abraham had while he was still uncircumcised.

13For the promise to Abraham4:13 Rm 9:8; Gl 3:16; Heb 6:15,17; 7:6; 11:9,17 or to his descendants that he would inherit the world4:13 Gn 17:4–6; 21:17–18 was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

14If those who are of the law are heirs,4:14 Gl 3:18 faith is made empty and the promise nullified,

15because the law produces wrath.4:15 Rm 7:7,10–25; 1Co 15:56; Gl 3:10 And where there is no law,4:15 Rm 3:20 there is no transgression.