of the faith which our forefather Abraham had while he was
as yet uncircumcised.
004:013 Again, the promise that he should inherit the world did
not come to Abraham or his posterity conditioned by Law,
but by faith-righteousness.
004:014 For if it is the righteous through Law who are heirs,
then faith is useless and the promise counts for nothing.
004:015 For the Law inflicts punishment; but where no Law exists,
there can be no violation of Law.
004:016 All depends on faith, and for this reason--that acceptance
with God might be an act of pure grace,
004:017 so that the promise should be made sure to all Abraham's true
descendants; not merely to those who are righteous through the Law,
but to those who are righteous through a faith like that of Abraham.
Thus in the sight of God in whom he believed, who gives life
to the dead and makes reference to things that do not exist,
as though they did, Abraham is the forefather of all of us.
As it is written, "I have appointed you to be the forefather
of many nations."
004:018 Under utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed,
so that he might become the forefather of many nations,
in agreement with the words "Equally numerous shall
your posterity be."
004:019 And, without growing weak in faith, he could contemplate his
own vital powers which had now decayed--for he was nearly
100 years old--and Sarah's barrenness.
004:020 Nor did he in unbelief stagger at God's promise, but became
mighty in faith, giving glory to God,
004:021 and being absolutely certain that whatever promise He is bound
by He is able also to make good.