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The Example of Abraham

What then are we to say was gained by[a] Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.(A) For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed[b] God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.”(B) Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 4.1 Other ancient authorities read say about
  2. 4.3 Or trusted in

The Faith of Abraham

Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”[a]

When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:3 Gen 15:6.