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

4 What then shall we say^(D) that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh,^(E) discovered in this matter? ² If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.^{(F) 3} What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”^[a](G)

⁴ Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift^(H) but as an obligation. ⁵ However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.^{(I) 6} David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

⁹ Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised?^(K) We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.^{(L) 10} Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before!