Our being counted righteous is a gift from God, an act of grace. There is no way in which we have earned it, God is under no obligation to forgive us. When we trust God our faith is "credited as righteousness". The fundamental point that Paul is trying to get across here is that we can do nothing to earn forgiveness, the only way is to trust in God. We trust that what Jesus did on the cross had earned our forgiveness.
Paul then cites David as another "witness" for his case, quoting from Psalm 32. The state of blessedness is having ones sins forgiven.
Paul then reverts back to Abraham, and to circumcision. We find it difficult to appreciate why circumcision was such a big deal, but in Paul's day the Jews were very proud of being circumcised. Paul wants to make it abundantly clear that circumcision has nothing to do with qualifying one for righteousness. If we ever think anything over than faith in Christ makes us righteous we need to correct our thinking very quickly.
Now the rite of circumcision came in under Abraham (Genesis 17), but it came in after God had declared Abraham righteous because of his faith (Gen 15:6). Abraham was righteous before he was circumcised, circumcision was a sign of what had happened.
So Abraham is the father of all who believe. Circumcision or non-circumcision is no barrier nor gateway to righteousness. Walking in faith is what counts.
Paul then cites David as another "witness" for his case, quoting from Psalm 32. The state of blessedness is having ones sins forgiven.
Paul then reverts back to Abraham, and to circumcision. We find it difficult to appreciate why circumcision was such a big deal, but in Paul's day the Jews were very proud of being circumcised. Paul wants to make it abundantly clear that circumcision has nothing to do with qualifying one for righteousness. If we ever think anything over than faith in Christ makes us righteous we need to correct our thinking very quickly.
Now the rite of circumcision came in under Abraham (Genesis 17), but it came in after God had declared Abraham righteous because of his faith (Gen 15:6). Abraham was righteous before he was circumcised, circumcision was a sign of what had happened.
So Abraham is the father of all who believe. Circumcision or non-circumcision is no barrier nor gateway to righteousness. Walking in faith is what counts.
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