Abraham Justified by Faith

Romans 4

1 What then shall we say that a Abraham our b father 1 has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was c justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? d "Abraham believed God, and it was 2 accounted to him for righteousness." 3 4 Now e to him who works, the wages are not counted 4 as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who f does not work but believes on Him who justifies g the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also h describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

7 "Blessed i are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered; 8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin." 5

9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. 11 And j he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that k he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father l Abraham had while still uncircumcised.

  1. Cross References
    Genesis 11:27
    This is the genealogy of Terah: Terah begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran begot Lot.
    Genesis 25:9
    And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite.
    Isaiah 51:2
    Look to Abraham your father, And to Sarah who bore you; For I called him alone, And blessed him and increased him.
    Matthew 3:9
    And do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
    John 8:33
    They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?
  2. Cross References
    Luke 3:8
    Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
    John 8:53
    "Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?"
    James 2:21
    Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
  3. Cross References
    Romans 3:20
    Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
    Romans 3:27
    Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.
  4. Cross References
    Genesis 15:6
    And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
    Romans 4:9
    Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.
    Romans 4:22
    And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness.
    Galatians 3:6
    Just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
    James 2:23
    And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God.
  5. Cross References
    Romans 11:6
    And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
  6. Cross References
    Galatians 2:16
    Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
    Ephesians 2:8
    For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
    Ephesians 2:9
    Not of works, lest anyone should boast.
  7. Cross References
    Joshua 24:2
    And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Your fathers, including Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, dwelt on the other side of the River in old times; and they served other gods.
  8. Cross References
    Psalms 32:1
    Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
    Psalms 32:2
    Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
  9. Cross References
    Psalms 32:1
    Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
    Psalms 32:2
    Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
  10. Cross References
    Genesis 17:10
    This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised.
  11. Cross References
    Luke 19:9
    And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham.
    Romans 4:16
    Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all
  12. Cross References
    Romans 4:18 - 22
    Who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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