Paul starts chapter 4 stating that Abraham was not justified by works, which would give him something to boast about, but was justified by faith. "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness". (Genesis 15:6) "He who trusts God his faith is credited as righteousness. And Paul says that Abraham's faith and justification came before he was circumcised, so Abraham is father of the faith of circumcised and uncircumcised Christians. So, says Paul, Abraham received the promise of his heir, not through the law but by faith... the promise comes by faith... by grace... He is the father of us all, Jews and Gentiles... He is the father of many nations... because he never wavered in disbelief despite being a 100 years old and he believed in the promise... so God credits righteousness to us who believe in Jesus!"
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