Abraham was considered righteous before circumcision because he believed God, and God counted that faith to him as righteousness.
When God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees, Abraham simply believed what God said and left. That believing was imputed to him for righteousness. None of Abraham's works, sacrifices, or the later ritual of circumcision entered into this reckoning. Paul uses this order to show that justification is by faith alone.
Genesis 15:6 — The foundational verse showing that Abraham's faith was counted for righteousness without circumcision.
Romans 4:3 — Paul's direct citation of Genesis 15:6 to prove Abraham was justified by faith, not works.
Romans 4:5 — Declares that righteousness is imputed to the one who simply believes, rather than works.
Scripture clearly reveals that Abraham's righteousness was reckoned on the basis of his faith, not on any ritual. Genesis 15:6 says, "And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." Paul quotes this exact truth in Romans 4:3: "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." Romans 4:5 adds, "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." In these passages, nothing is said about circumcision, law, or works. Abraham's faith alone is the grounds for righteousness.
Les Feldick stresses that Abraham was saved by 'faith plus nothing.' Abraham did not offer sacrifices, he was not circumcised, and he had no law. He simply did what God told him to do. When God reached down to him in Ur of the Chaldees—a man steeped in idolatry—Abraham believed God and left. God then counted his believing for righteousness and declared him just. Circumcision, the law, and the sacrificial system all came later; they were never the basis of Abraham's justification. Abraham, uncircumcised and without works, is the pattern for how anyone comes into a right relationship with God: by faith alone. Les applies this directly to the believer today, saying that as Abraham was brought into relationship with God by faith and faith alone, so are we.
According to Les Feldick, Abraham was called a righteous man by God because of his faith when he left Ur, and there is no mention of Abraham entering into the covenant of circumcision at that point. Circumcision came later. Abraham did not practice circumcision as a means of justification; rather, his justification came first by faith, and circumcision followed as something separate.
Abraham simply believed what God said. God told him to leave Ur and his family and go to a land He would show him, and Abraham left. Les points out that by that faith, God called him a righteous man. Abraham did not earn righteousness; he believed God, and God credited it to his account. Paul uses a bookkeeping term: Abraham's believing was put to the account of Abraham for righteousness.
Paul uses Abraham to show that justification has always been by faith. As Abraham was saved without benefit of law, sacrifice, or circumcision, so we enter into relationship with God by faith alone. Les says the connection is faith, not physical descent. We do not become physical sons of Abraham, but we are connected to him in the same way he was saved: believing God when He speaks.
Justified by Faith Alone — What Romans 4 Really Teaches
But he'd look down the road in vain and it just broke his heart simply because he wanted them to have his new found faith. And as I was thinking this over last night again, wondering whether I should share this or not. You see, just one verse of Scripture is what impacted the man. The Holy Spirit used my stupidity to do something that I've never done before or since.
Abraham's Faith When Called Out of Ur
God called Abraham to leave Ur and his family; Abraham left and God counted his faith as righteousness, with no mention of sacrifices or circumcision.
Paul Uses Abraham as the Example of Justification
Paul introduces Abraham as the ideal Old Testament example of a man who was justified, and questions whether Abraham was justified by works.
Abraham Saved by Faith Plus Nothing
Abraham did not sacrifice, practice circumcision, or keep law; he simply did what God said, proving he was saved by faith alone.
Believing Was Counted for Righteousness
Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness; God imputed His own righteousness to Abraham solely on the basis of belief.
Faith Plus Nothing Connects Us to Abraham
Abraham's saving faith was simply believing, plus nothing, and believers today enter a relationship with God the same way, by faith alone.
Righteousness Put to Abraham's Account
Abraham believed God and his believing was put to his account as righteousness; he did nothing to earn it, just faith plus nothing.
Abraham Called Out of Idolatry in Ur
Abraham was steeped in idolatry in Ur when God reached down in grace and told him to leave; Abraham believed God and was declared righteous only because of that belief.
Genesis 15:6: And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
The foundational verse showing that Abraham's faith was counted for righteousness without circumcision.
Romans 4:3: For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 to prove Abraham was justified by faith, not works.
Romans 4:5: But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Declares that righteousness is imputed to the one who simply believes, rather than works.
Yes. Abraham believed God and was counted righteous before the covenant of circumcision was ever given. As Les Feldick puts it, Abraham was saved by faith plus nothing; circumcision came later and was not part of his justification.
It means God put Abraham's faith to his account as righteousness. Abraham did not earn righteousness by works; he simply believed what God told him, and God credited that faith as righteousness.
No. The law did not exist in Abraham's day. Abraham was declared righteous by faith alone before any law was given. Les emphasizes that Abraham had no law, no sacrifices, and no circumcision when he was justified.
Watch the Teaching: Justified by Faith Alone — What Romans 4 Really Teaches