Did God appear to Abraham in a physical form?
Yes, God appeared to Abraham in a physical form more than once. He reached down, spoke to him, and came down to communicate with this man. This happened while Abraham was in idolatry, yet God saw his potential to believe.
Les explains that God appeared to Abraham in a physical form, and more than once He came down and communicated with this man. This happened while Abraham was still in abject idolatry, having no knowledge of the One True God. God saw in him the potential to believe what He said, so He reached down and spoke to him. Paul, by inspiration, then goes back to Abraham as the perfect example of being justified by faith alone, plus nothing.