Romans 4

Abraham Justified by Faith

1 What then can we say that Abraham, our physical ancestor, has found? 2 If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to brag about-but not before God.

3 For what does the Scripture say?
Abraham believed God,
and it was credited to him for righteousness.
4 Now to the one who works, pay is not considered as a gift, but as something owed.

5 But to the one who does not work, but believes on Him who declares the ungodly to be righteous, his faith is credited for righteousness.

David Celebrating the Same Truth

6 Likewise, David also speaks of the blessing of the man God credits righteousness to apart from works:

7 How joyful are those whose lawless acts are forgiven
and whose sins are covered!

8 How joyful is the man
the Lord will never charge with sin!

Abraham Justified before Circumcision

9 Is this blessing only for the circumcised, then? Or is it also for the uncircumcised? For we say, Faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness. 10 In what way then was it credited-while he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while he was circumcised, but uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while still uncircumcised. This was to make him the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, so that righteousness may be credited to them also.

12 And 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.

The Promise Granted through Faith

13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise is canceled.

15 For the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.
16 This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants-not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of Abraham's faith. He is the father of us all 17 in God's sight. As it is written: I have made you the father of many nations. He believed in God, who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist. 18 He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be. 19 He considered his own body to be already dead (since he was about 100 years old) and the deadness of Sarah's womb, without weakening in the faith. 20 He did not waver in unbelief at God's promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 because he was fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone, 24 but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

25 He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Romans 4

1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, hath found according to the flesh?2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God.3 For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.4 Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt.5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.6 Even as David also pronounceth blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works,7 saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered.

8 Blessed is the man to whom, the Lord will not reckon sin.

9 Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness.10 How then was it reckoned? 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 which he had while he was in uncircumcision; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them;12 and the father of circumcision to them who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which he had in uncircumcision.13 For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith.14 For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect:15 for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.16 For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace; to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all17 (as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, even God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were.18 Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be.19 And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb;20 yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God,21 and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.22 Wherefore also it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him;24 but for our sake also, unto whom it shall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,25 who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.