Galatians 3:6 – “So also Abraham ‘believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'”

Extended Explanation

Paul points to Abraham as the perfect example of what he has been teaching—righteousness comes by faith, not by works. Abraham was the father of the Jewish people, and he had a special relationship with God. However, Paul reminds the Galatians that Abraham wasn’t made right with God because of his obedience to the law. In fact, the law didn’t even exist yet. Instead, Abraham was counted as righteous simply because he believed God.

The phrase “credited to him as righteousness” means that God accepted Abraham as righteous, not because of anything Abraham did, but because he trusted in God’s promises. Paul is making the point that if even Abraham was made right with God by faith, then the Galatians—and all believers—are made right with God the same way.

Paul is driving home his argument: If Abraham was justified by faith, then why should the Galatians think they need to follow the Jewish law to be accepted by God?

Historical Context

Abraham’s story is found in Genesis 15:6, where God makes a promise to him that he will have many descendants. At this point, Abraham is old and has no children. Yet, he believes God’s promise, and because of that faith, God considers him righteous.

This was a crucial moment in biblical history because Abraham’s faith, not his works, established him as the spiritual father of God’s people. The Jewish nation later grew from his descendants, but his righteousness came before he followed any laws or performed religious rituals.

Paul is using Abraham as an example because the false teachers in Galatia were trying to convince the new believers that they needed to follow Jewish customs to be saved. Paul is reminding them that even their most respected ancestor, Abraham, was justified by faith—not by the law.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches that righteousness before God comes through faith, not by human effort. Just as Abraham was declared righteous because of his faith, all believers are made right with God the same way.

Paul’s use of Abraham here is a strong argument against legalism. If Abraham himself didn’t earn righteousness through works, then no one else can, either. This means that salvation is entirely a gift from God.

It also highlights a key biblical theme: God’s relationship with His people has always been based on faith, not performance. From the very beginning, God’s plan was to bring people into a right relationship with Him through belief, not by following laws or religious rituals.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s wording here is intentional. He begins with “So also,” which ties Abraham’s story directly to the Galatians’ situation. He’s showing them that their faith is part of a much bigger story—one that started long before the law was even given.

The phrase “believed God” is simple but powerful. It emphasizes that Abraham didn’t just believe in God, but he believed what God said. This kind of faith—taking God at His word—is what makes a person right with Him.

The phrase “credited to him as righteousness” is also significant. It’s an accounting term, meaning something was placed in his account. Abraham didn’t earn righteousness; God simply gave it to him because of his faith.

Biblical Cross-References

• Genesis 15:6 – “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (The original moment Paul is referring to.)
• Romans 4:3 – “What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'” (Paul makes the same argument in Romans.)
• Romans 4:23-24 – “The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” (Abraham’s faith was a model for all believers.)
• Hebrews 11:8-10 – “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Abraham lived by faith, not by works.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a reminder that salvation is based on faith in God, not on religious performance. Many people today still think that being a good person or following religious traditions is what makes them right with God. But Paul is showing us that, from the very beginning, righteousness has always come through faith.

This means that no one can earn their way into heaven. Instead of trying to be “good enough” for God, we are called to trust in what He has done for us through Jesus. Just as Abraham was made righteous by believing in God’s promise, we are made righteous by believing in Jesus Christ.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in the fact that He declares people righteous simply by faith. He doesn’t demand that we earn His love or meet impossible standards. Instead, He freely gives righteousness to those who trust Him.

This verse shows that God’s love is not based on what we do but on who He is. He loved Abraham, and He loves us, offering righteousness as a gift to anyone who believes.

It also shows that God’s plan for salvation has always been rooted in grace. He didn’t change the rules over time—faith has always been the key to being right with Him. This means we can rest in His love, knowing that our righteousness is not something we achieve but something we receive.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse points directly to Jesus, because faith in Him is the way we are made right with God today. Just as Abraham was declared righteous by faith, we are declared righteous when we trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

• John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (Salvation comes by faith in Jesus, just as righteousness came by faith to Abraham.)
• Galatians 3:14 – “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” (The blessing of Abraham is now available to all through Jesus.)
• Romans 3:22 – “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (We receive righteousness today the same way Abraham did—through faith.)
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (Jesus’ sacrifice allows us to be credited with righteousness, just as Abraham was.)

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why does Paul use Abraham as an example of faith?
2. How does this verse challenge the idea that we can earn salvation through good works?
3. In what ways do people today still try to earn their righteousness instead of receiving it by faith?
4. What does it mean to truly believe God, as Abraham did?
5. How does knowing that righteousness comes by faith change the way you relate to God?