28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.(A) 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,(B) 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.(C) 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

Abraham Justified by Faith

What then shall we say(D) that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh,(E) discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.(F) What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[a](G)

Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift(H) but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.(I) David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:3 Gen. 15:6; also in verse 22