Galatians 3:6-9
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The core of this verse isn't just that Abraham had faith, but that God credited his belief as righteousness. This means God didn't see Abraham as perfect, but saw his trust in God's promises as a complete standing of righteousness before Him. It highlights that our relationship with God is fundamentally built on His gracious imputation of righteousness through our faith.
just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is arguing that the Galatians received the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts not through following the Law, but through believing the message of the gospel. To prove this, he immediately points to Abraham, the revered ancestor of Israel, showing that Abraham himself was declared righteous by God simply because he believed God's promise, long before the Mosaic Law was even given.
What does it really mean to 'believe God'? It's more than just acknowledging facts; it's a deep trust that transforms how we're seen by God.
Paul points to Abraham as the ultimate example of faith. When Genesis says Abraham 'believed God,' it wasn't just a mental agreement. It was a profound trust in God's promises, even when they seemed impossible.
Believing God's Word
This isn't about believing in God as a concept, but believing God—trusting His word and character completely.
How can we be considered 'righteous' in God's eyes? It's not about our own perfect performance, but about a divine declaration.
The verse states Abraham's faith was 'counted to him as righteousness.' This is a crucial concept: righteousness here isn't something Abraham earned through his own good deeds. It's something God credited to him.
The Concept of Imputation
Ask a follow-up
Why did Paul bring up Abraham, who lived centuries before the Law of Moses? To show that God's plan for salvation has always been about faith.
Paul uses Abraham as evidence that salvation by faith, not by adherence to the Law, is God's eternal plan. Abraham believed God and was declared righteous long before the Mosaic Law was given.
The Timelessness of Faith
Understand the original words
pisteuō · Greek Verb
To trust in, rely upon, or cling to something or someone; in a biblical context, it is the act of placing one's complete confidence in God and His promises, especially regarding salvation through Christ.
logizomai · Greek Verb
A judicial term signifying that one has been declared righteous or acquitted of guilt before God; it is a gift of grace received through faith, not earned by human merit.
dikaiosynē · Greek Noun
The state of being right with God, conforming to His moral standards, or being declared righteous by Him; it is the status of the believer who stands justified before the divine judge.
pistis · Greek Noun
A firm conviction, trust, or allegiance; in the New Testament, it refers specifically to the gospel-centered trust in Jesus Christ as the basis for salvation.
hyios Abraam · Greek Noun
Those who share in the spiritual heritage and covenantal promises made to the patriarch, identified not by biological lineage but by participating in his faith.
dikaioō · Greek Verb
To render someone righteous or to declare them innocent in a legal sense; God’s gracious act of justifying the ungodly through Christ’s imputed righteousness.
ethnos · Greek Noun
Non-Jewish people; in the New Testament, it refers to all peoples of the world outside of the covenant nation of Israel who are now included in the promise of salvation.
euangelizomai · Greek Verb
The "good news" of salvation through Jesus Christ, including his death, burial, and resurrection, which brings redemption and reconciliation to God.
ethnos · Greek Noun
All the ethnic and linguistic groups of humanity; the scope of God’s redemptive plan that extends beyond Israel to encompass the entire human race.
eulogeō · Greek Verb
The divine favor or benefit bestowed upon humanity; it signifies God’s active intervention to provide goodness, salvation, and spiritual prosperity.
Paul points back to Abraham, a figure revered by Jews, to argue that justification by faith was established long before the Law of Moses, demonstrating its universal and foundational nature.
c. 2000 BC— this verse
God's Promise to Abraham
God makes a foundational covenant promise to Abram (later Abraham), promising him descendants and land, a promise Abram believes.
c. 1446 BC
Giving of the Law
The Mosaic Law is given at Mount Sinai, establishing a covenant framework for Israel that includes commandments and sacrificial systems.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Israel
The northern kingdom of Israel is conquered by the Assyrians, leading to the exile of its people and the loss of the ten tribes.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The southern kingdom of Judah is conquered by Babylon, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, and the exile of its people.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Many Jewish exiles are permitted to return to Jerusalem, beginning the process of rebuilding the Temple and their community.
Early 1st century AD
Roman Rule in Judea
Judea is under Roman occupation, with varying degrees of autonomy, creating political tension and a climate ripe for messianic expectation.
This passage directly quotes Genesis 15:6, just like Galatians 3:6, explaining that Abraham's faith was credited as righteousness, establishing the principle of justification by faith.
Genesis 15:4-6This is the foundational Old Testament account itself, detailing God's promise to Abraham and Abraham's believing response, which is the very event Paul references as the basis for justification by faith.
James 2:23James also appeals to Abraham's faith being counted as righteousness, reinforcing the idea that true faith is demonstrated through actions, but the core principle of justification by faith remains.
Romans 4:20-22This passage elaborates on Abraham's unwavering faith, emphasizing that he was fully convinced of God's power to fulfill His promise, highlighting the nature of the faith that pleases God.
jfbGalatians 3:6: "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
- The answer to the question in Ga 3:5 is here taken for granted, It was by the hearing of faith: following this up, he says, "Even as Abraham believed," &c. (Ge 15:4-6; Ro 4:3). God supplies unto you the Spirit as the result of faith, not works, just as Abraham obtained justification by faith, not by works (Ga 3:6, 8, 16; Ga 4:22, 26, 28). Where justification is, there the Spirit is, so that if the f…
vincentGalatians 3:6: "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
Even as (καθὼς)The answer to the question of Galatians 3:5 is so obvious that it is not given. Paul proceeds at once to the illustration - the argument for the righteousness of faith furnished in the justification of Abraham. The spiritual gifts come through the message of faith, even as Abraham believed, etc.Believed God (ἐπιστευσεν τῷ θεῷ)See on Romans 4:5. Believed God's promise that he should…
The core of this verse isn't just that Abraham had faith, but that God credited his belief as righteousness. This means God didn't see Abraham as perfect, but saw his trust in God's promises as a complete standing of righteousness before Him. It highlights that our relationship with God is fundamentally built on His gracious imputation of righteousness through our faith.
Paul is arguing that the Galatians received the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts not through following the Law, but through believing the message of the gospel. To prove this, he immediately points to Abraham, the revered ancestor of Israel, showing that Abraham himself was declared righteous by God simply because he believed God's promise, long before the Mosaic Law was even given.
Paul is arguing that the Galatians received the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts not through following the Law, but through believing the message of the gospel. To prove this, he immediately points to Abraham, the revered ancestor of Israel, showing that Abraham himself was declared righteous by God simply because he believed God's promise, long before the Mosaic Law was even given.
"just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel be…" — The core of this verse isn't just that Abraham had faith, but that God credited his belief as righteousness. This means God didn't see Abraham as perfect, but saw his trust in God's promises as a c…
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Last reviewed October 2026
