we give the Law a firmer footing.
004:001 What then shall we say that Abraham, our earthly forefather,
has gained?
004:002 For if he was held to be righteous on the ground of his actions,
he has something to boast of; but not in the presence of God.
004:003 For what says the Scripture? "And Abraham believed God,
and this was placed to his credit as righteousness."
004:004 But in the case of a man who works, pay is not reckoned a favour
but a debt;
004:005 whereas in the case of a man who pleads no actions of his own,
but simply believes in Him who declares the ungodly free
from guilt, his faith is placed to his credit as righteousness.
004:006 In this way David also tells of the blessedness of the man to
whose credit God places righteousness, apart from his actions.
004:007 "Blessed," he says, "are those whose iniquities have been forgiven,
and whose sins have been covered over.
004:008 Blessed is the man of whose sin the Lord will not take account."
004:009 This declaration of blessedness, then, does it come simply
to the circumcised, or to the uncircumcised as well?
For Abraham's faith--so we affirm--was placed to his
credit as righteousness.
004:010 What then were the circumstances under which this took place?
Was it after he had been circumcised, or before?
004:011 Before, not after. And he received circumcision as a sign,
a mark attesting the reality of the faith-righteousness which was
his while still uncircumcised, that he might be the forefather
of all those who believe even though they are uncircumcised--
in order that this righteousness might be placed to their credit;
004:012 and the forefather of the circumcised, namely of those who
not merely are circumcised, but also walk in the steps