How does Paul explain Abraham’s faith before circumcision and the promise?

Paul asks what Abraham, their father according to the flesh, found. Justification through works would give him glory, but not before God. The annotation specifies works in one’s own strength without grace and faith, capable of human applause but without divine value. Scripture says Abraham believed God and it was reputed to him as justice. The note says God reckons nothing otherwise than it is, and that justification proceeds from free grace and bounty, rather than an act’s natural efficacy apart from grace.

A worker’s reward is reckoned as debt rather than grace. The annotation describes someone acting from his own funds and strength and claiming payment as a debt. The nonworker does not presume upon works in his own strength, but seeks faith and grace and is freely justified. The faith of one believing in him who justifies the ungodly is reputed to justice according to grace’s purpose. David describes blessedness in justice without works, forgiven iniquities and covered sins. The annotation explains covered sins through penance obtaining pardon and clothing in grace and charity. It explains nonimputation of sin through retained baptismal innocence without grievous sin, or after a fall, penance and a virtuous life frequenting necessary sacraments for grace to prevent relapse.

This blessedness is not confined to circumcision: Abraham’s reckoning occurred while uncircumcised. The annotation includes Jews and Gentiles coming to justice through faith and grace, as Abraham did before the sign. Circumcision later sealed the justice of his prior faith, making him father of uncircumcised believers and those circumcised who follow his earlier faith’s steps. The promise that Abraham and his seed would inherit the world came through the justice of faith rather than law. If only those of the law were heirs, faith would be void and the promise ineffective. The note explains that inheritance through ceremonies alone would cheapen the praised faith and void the promise of fatherhood of all nations. The law works wrath, and where there is no law there is no transgression. The annotation explains that law apart from faith and grace occasions transgressions provoking wrath.

The promise rests on faith according to grace so it is firm for all the seed, both those of the law and those of Abraham’s faith. As father of many nations he stands before God, who quickens the dead and calls what does not exist as though it does. Against hope Abraham hoped in the promised seed. Without weakening in faith, he did not consider his body now dead at nearly a hundred years, or Sara’s dead womb. He did not stagger through distrust, but was strengthened in faith, glorifying God and fully knowing God could perform what he promised. This was reputed to justice. The words were written not only for him, but for those believing in the one who raised Jesus, delivered for their sins and risen for their justification.