Study Desk

What then shall we say that Abraham, ^(F1)our forefather ^(C1)according to the flesh, has found?

For if Abraham was justified ^(F1)by works, he has something to boast about; but ^(C1)not ^(F2)before God.

For what does the Scripture say? "^(C1)ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."

Now to the one who ^(C1)works, the wages are not credited as a favor, but as what is due.

But to the one who does not work, but ^(C1)believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,

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

"^(C1)BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED.

-"^(C1)BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT ^(C2)TAKE INTO ACCOUNT."

Is this blessing then on ^(F1)(C1)the circumcised, or on ^(F2)the uncircumcised also? For ^(C2)we say, "^(C3)FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."

How then was it credited? While he was ^(F1)circumcised, or ^(F2)uncircumcised? Not while ^(F1)circumcised, but while ^(F2)uncircumcised;

and he ^(C1)received the sign of circumcision, ^(C2)a seal of the righteousness of the faith which ^(F1)he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be ^(C3)the father of ^(C4)all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them,

and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which ^(F1)he had while uncircumcised.

For ^(C1)the promise to Abraham or to his ^(F1)descendants ^(C2)that he would be heir of the world was not ^(F2)through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.

For ^(C1)if those who are ^(F1)of the Law are heirs, then faith is made void and the promise is nullified;

for ^(C1)the Law brings about wrath, but ^(C2)where there is no law, there also is no violation.

For this reason it is ^(F1)by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with ^(C1)grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to ^(C2)all the ^(F2)descendants, not only to ^(F3)those who are of the Law, but also to ^(F3)(C3)those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is ^(C4)the father of us all,

(as it is written: "I HAVE MADE YOU ^(C1)A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS") in the presence of Him whom he believed, that is, God, ^(C2)who gives life to the dead and ^(C3)calls into being ^(C4)things that do not exist.

In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become ^(C1)a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, "^(C2)SO SHALL YOUR ^(F1)DESCENDANTS BE."

Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now ^(C1)as good as dead since ^(C2)he was about a hundred years old, and ^(C3)the deadness of Sarah's womb;

yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, ^(C1)giving glory to God,

and ^(C1)being fully assured that ^(C2)what God had promised, He was able also to perform.

Therefore ^(C1)IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Now ^(C1)not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him,

but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, to us ^(C1)who believe in Him who ^(C2)raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

He who was ^(C1)delivered over because of our wrongdoings, and was ^(C2)raised because of our justification.