Justification by Faith Evidenced in Old Testament

1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather [a]humanly speaking, has found? [Has he obtained a favored standing?] 2For if Abraham was justified [that is, acquitted from the guilt of his sins] by works [those things he did that were good], he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED IN (trusted, relied on) GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIS ACCOUNT AS RIGHTEOUSNESS (right living, right standing with God).” 4Now to a laborer, his wages are not credited as a favor or a gift, but as an obligation [something owed to him]. 5But to the one who does not work [that is, the one who does not try to earn his salvation by doing good], but believes and completely trusts in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is [b]credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God). 6And in this same way David speaks of the blessing on the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

7“BLESSED and HAPPY and FAVORED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS ACTS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN,

AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED UP and COMPLETELY BURIED.

8“BLESSED and HAPPY and FAVORED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT nor CHARGE AGAINST HIM.”

9Is this blessing only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say, “FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” 10How then was it credited [to him]? Was it after he had been circumcised, or before? Not after, but while [he was] uncircumcised. 11He received the sign of circumcision, a seal or confirmation of the righteousness which he had by faith while [he was still] uncircumcised--this was so that he would be the [spiritual] father of all who believe without being circumcised--so that righteousness would be credited to them, 12and [that he would be] the [spiritual] father of those circumcised who are not only circumcised, but who also walk in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had before he was circumcised.

13For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through [observing the requirements of] the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14If those who are [followers] of the Law are [the true] heirs [of Abraham], then faith [leading to salvation] is of no effect and void, and the promise [of God] is nullified. 15For the Law results in [God’s] wrath [against sin], but where there is no law, there is no violation [of it either].

16Therefore, [inheriting] the promise depends entirely on faith [that is, confident trust in the unseen God], in order that it may be given as an act of grace [His unmerited favor and mercy], so that the promise will be [legally] guaranteed to all the descendants [of Abraham]--not only for those [Jewish believers] who keep the Law, but also for those [Gentile believers] who share the faith of Abraham, who is the [spiritual] father of us all-- 17(as it is written [in Scripture], “I HAVE MADE YOU A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS”) in the sight of Him in whom he believed, that is, God [c]who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. 18In hope against hope Abraham believed that he would become a father of many nations, as he had been promised [by God]: “SO [numberless] SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” 19Without becoming weak in faith he considered his own body, now as good as dead [for producing children] since he was about a hundred years old, and [he considered] the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20But he did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God, 21being fully convinced that God had the power to do what He had promised. 22Therefore his faith WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS (right standing with God). 23Now not for his sake alone was it written that it was credited to him, 24but for our sake also--to whom righteousness will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead-- 25who was betrayed and crucified because of our sins, and was raised [from the dead] because of our justification [our acquittal--absolving us of all sin before God].

[a] 1 Lit according to the flesh.
[b] 5 Faith is not an equivalent or substitute for righteousness, but God graciously treats it as if it were the same. Otherwise, no one could be saved from sin and have eternal life.
[c] 17 A reference to both the birth of Isaac, and the resurrection of Christ.