If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.

not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.

know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

not by works, so that no one can boast.