1What then will we say that Abraham (our father according to the flesh) gained? 2Certainly, if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, although not before God. 3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted1596 to him as righteousness.”1597 4Now to the one who works, the reward is not considered as a grace1598 but as something owed. 5But to the one who does not work but believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, it is faith that is accounted for righteousness. 6Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God attributes1599 righteousness apart from works:
7Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
8Blessed is the man whom the Lord will by no means charge with sin.1600
9Is this blessing then pronounced on the circumcised {only}, or on the uncircumcised as well? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham as righteousness. 10How then was faith taken into account? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised! 11He received the sign of circumcision, (a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was still uncircumcised), so that he might be the father of all those who believe, even if they are uncircumcised, so that righteousness might also be accounted to them. 12He is the father of circumcision not only to those who are of the circumcision, but [to those] who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had before he was circumcised. 13Indeed, the promise to Abraham and to his seed1601 that he should be heir of the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14However, if those who are of the law are heirs, then faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect. 15As it is, the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression either. 16This is why [the promise is] of faith, so that it comes as a free gift and it is secure for all the descendants, not only for those who rely on the law but also for all those others who rely on the faith of Abraham, the father of us all. 17As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations.”1602 This is in the presence1603 of the one whom Abraham believed: even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence what does not yet exist. 18Hoping against hope, Abraham1604 believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what had been spoken, “And so will your seed be.”1605 19And not being weak in faith1606, he did not consider his own body which was already worn out, (he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20Yet, looking to the promise of God, he did not waver through unbelief but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God. 21Abraham was fully convinced1607 that what God had promised, he was also able to accomplish. 22Therefore, it also was “credited1608 to him for righteousness.”1609 23Now it was not written that “it was accounted to him” for his sake alone. 24It was [written] also for our sake; [and] faith1610 will be credited to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25He was delivered up for our sins, and was raised for our justification.
Reconciled with God through Christ
- Or “reckoned/credited”
- Genesis 15:6
- That is something undeserved (The Greek word ca,rin (grace) means “undeserved kindness, or favor”)
- Or “reckons/credits/counts”
- Psalm 32:1-2/31 LXX
- Or “posterity, descendants”
- Genesis 17:5
- Or “He is our father in the sight of God (NAB)”
- Greek “he”
- Genesis 15:5
- Literally “the faith”
- Or “assured”
- Or “reckoned”
- Genesis 15:6
- Greek “it”
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
