WHAT then shall we say that Abraham our father hath obtained by the
flesh? (2)For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath cause for
glorying; though not before God. (3)For what doth the scripture say?
Abraham truly believed God, and it was imputed to him for
righteousness[53]. (4)Now to him that worketh, the reward is not
brought to account as a favour, but as a debt. (5)But to him who doth
not work, but believeth in him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is
reckoned in account for righteousness. (6)As David also describeth the
blessedness of that man, to whom God imputeth righteousness without
works, (7)"Blessed are they whose unrighteousnesses are forgiven, and
whose sins are covered up. (8)Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will
in nowise impute sin[54]." (9)This blessedness then, _is it_ for the
circumcision, or for the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was
imputed to Abraham for righteousness. (10)How then was it imputed to
him? when circumcised, or while uncircumcised? Not when circumcised,
but whilst uncircumcised. (11)And he received the sign of circumcision,
as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had when
uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all those who believe,
though uncircumcised; that to them also the righteousness might be
imputed: (12)and the father of circumcision, not to those who are of
the circumcision merely, but who also tread in the steps of the faith
of our father Abraham, which he exercised while uncircumcised. (13)For
not by the law _came_ the promise to Abraham and his seed, that he
should be heir of the world, but by the righteousness of faith. (14)For
if they who are of the law are heirs, faith becomes vain, and the
promise is useless: (15)for the law causeth wrath: for where there is
no law, neither is there transgression.
(16)Therefore it is by faith, that it might be of grace; in order that
the promise might be secured to all the seed; not only to that which is
of the law, but to that which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the
father of us all, (17)(as it is written "that I have constituted thee
father of many nations[55],") before God, in whom he trusted, who
quickeneth the dead, and calleth things that are not as if existing.
(18)Who contrary to hope, in hope believed, that he should be the
father of many nations, according to what was said, "So shall thy seed
be[56]." (19)And not being weak in faith, he regarded not his own body
now deadened, being about an hundred years old, nor the deadness of
Sarah's womb: (20)for he disputed not against the promise of God with
unbelief; but was mighty in faith, giving glory to God; (21)and enjoyed
the fullest assurance, that what he had promised, he was able also to
perform. (22)And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
(23)Now it was not written for his sake only, that it was imputed to
him; (24)but also for our sakes, to whom it will be imputed, if we
believe in him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (25)who was
delivered up for our offences, and was raised again for our
justification.