Rm 4, 1-9 Abraham believed God

Romans 4

(Rm 4, 1-9) Abraham believed God

[1] What then can we say that Abraham found, our ancestor according to the flesh? [2] Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works, he has reason to boast; but this was not so in the sight of God. [3] For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." [4] A worker's wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due. [5] But when one does not work, yet believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. [6] So also David declares the blessedness of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: [7] "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record." [9] Does this blessedness apply only to the circumcised, or to the uncircumcised as well? Now we assert that "faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness."

(CCC 144) To obey (from the Latin ob-audire, to "hear or listen to") in faith is to submit freely to the word that has been heard, because its truth is guaranteed by God, who is Truth itself. Abraham is the model of such obedience offered us by Sacred Scripture. The Virgin Mary is its most perfect embodiment. (CCC 145) The Letter to the Hebrews, in its great eulogy of the faith of Israel's ancestors, lays special emphasis on Abraham's faith: "By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go" (Heb 11:8; cf. Gen 12:1-4). By faith, he lived as a stranger and pilgrim in the promised land (Cf. Gen 23:4). By faith, Sarah was given to conceive the son of the promise. And by faith Abraham offered his only son in sacrifice (Cf. Heb 11:17).