Galatians 3:6

KJV

¶ Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Even as {G2531} Abraham {G11} believed {G4100} God {G2316}, and {G2532} it was accounted {G3049} to him {G846} for {G1519} righteousness {G1343}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It was the same with Avraham: “He trusted in God and was faithful to him, and that was credited to his account as righteousness.”

Berean Standard Bible

So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

American Standard Version

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 3:6 stands as a foundational declaration in Paul's theological argument, asserting that a right standing with God is achieved through faith, not through adherence to the Mosaic Law or human works. Drawing directly from the Old Testament, Paul cites Abraham, the revered patriarch, as the prime example of one whose belief in God was divinely credited as righteousness, thereby establishing a pattern for all who would be justified before the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal point in Paul's letter to the Galatians, serving as the cornerstone of his argument against the Judaizers who insisted on Gentile circumcision and Law-observance for salvation. Paul has just challenged the Galatians, asking if they received the Spirit by works of the Law or by hearing with faith ([Galatians 3:2](/galatians/3-2 "Galatians 3:2 - Receiving the Spirit by Faith")). He then immediately turns to Abraham's experience, quoting [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham's Faith Credited as Righteousness") to demonstrate that the principle of justification by faith predates the Mosaic Law by centuries. This sets the stage for Paul's subsequent exposition on the Abrahamic covenant, the purpose of the Law, and the singular role of Christ in fulfilling God's promises.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Galatian churches were grappling with a significant theological crisis. Jewish Christians, often referred to as Judaizers, had infiltrated these Gentile congregations, teaching that faith in Christ was insufficient for salvation and that believers must also undergo circumcision and observe elements of the Mosaic Law. This teaching directly undermined the core of the gospel Paul preached – salvation by grace through faith alone. Paul's appeal to Abraham was strategically powerful, as Abraham was revered by both Jews and Gentiles (proselytes) as the father of their faith. By demonstrating that Abraham himself was justified by faith *before* the Law and *before* circumcision, Paul dismantled the Judaizers' central premise and upheld the universality of God's plan of salvation through faith in Christ, accessible to all, irrespective of ethnic or ritualistic background.
* **Key Themes:** Galatians 3:6 is central to several key themes in the letter. Foremost is the theme of **Justification by Faith Alone**, which asserts that a right standing with God is a divine imputation based solely on belief, not on human merit or ritualistic performance. This verse highlights **Abraham as the Prototype of Faith**, presenting him not merely as an ethnic ancestor but as the spiritual father of all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile, because his experience perfectly illustrates God's method of justification. Furthermore, it introduces the concept of **Imputed Righteousness**, where God graciously credits righteousness to a person's account, not because they have perfectly obeyed, but because they have trusted in Him. This theme is profoundly developed by Paul in his letter to the Romans, particularly in [Romans 4](/romans/4 "Romans 4 - Abraham Justified by Faith").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **believed (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** This verb signifies to have faith, to trust, or to be persuaded of something. In the context of Abraham, it means he placed his complete reliance and confidence in God's word and promises, even when they seemed humanly impossible (e.g., having a son in old age, becoming the father of many nations). It is an active, trusting surrender to God's character and truth.
* **accounted (Greek, _logízomai'_):** This term is derived from the root for "word" or "reason" and carries significant weight in ancient accounting and legal contexts. It means "to reckon," "to credit," "to impute," or "to put to one's account." It implies a divine transaction where something is attributed or credited to someone, not necessarily because they inherently possess it, but because it is legally or graciously assigned to them. Here, God credits righteousness to Abraham, not as an earned wage, but as a gracious declaration based on his faith.
* **righteousness (Greek, _dikaiosýnē'_):** This noun refers to the quality of being morally right or just, equity of character, or conformity to divine law. In a theological sense, especially in Paul's writings, it denotes a right standing before God. It is a status of being declared just or innocent in God's sight, which in this verse is shown to be a result of God's imputation based on faith, rather than human achievement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Even as Abraham believed God":** This clause directly references [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham's Faith Credited as Righteousness"), establishing Abraham's faith as the pivotal act. It underscores that Abraham's relationship with God was founded on trust, not on any legal code or ritualistic performance, as the Mosaic Law would not be given for another 430 years ([Galatians 3:17](/galatians/3-17 "Galatians 3:17 - The Law Came 430 Years Later")). His belief was a deep, personal conviction in God's promises, even when those promises defied natural expectation.
* **"and it was accounted to him for righteousness":** This second clause reveals the divine response to Abraham's faith. The Greek word "accounted" (logízomai) is a forensic or accounting term, meaning God "credited" or "imputed" righteousness to Abraham's spiritual account. This righteousness was not something Abraham earned through perfect obedience or good deeds; rather, it was a gracious declaration from God, a status bestowed upon him because of his faith. The preposition "for" (eis) indicates the purpose or result: his faith resulted in him being declared righteous.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent literary devices in Galatians 3:6. The most prominent is **Quotation**, as he directly cites [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham's Faith Credited as Righteousness"), lending scriptural authority and historical precedent to his argument. This direct quote functions as a powerful **Rhetorical Argumentation**, serving as an undeniable proof-text to counter the Judaizers' insistence on Law-keeping. By presenting Abraham, the revered patriarch, as one justified by faith, Paul uses **Analogy** and **Typology**, establishing Abraham as a type or model for all believers, demonstrating that God's method of justification has always been consistent across dispensations. This strategic use of Abraham's example is a masterstroke in Paul's defense of the gospel of grace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 3:6 is a theological linchpin, articulating the doctrine of justification by faith alone (sola fide), a cornerstone of Protestant theology. It asserts that humanity's right standing before a holy God is not achieved through human effort, moral performance, or adherence to religious laws, but through a gracious divine declaration based on one's trust in God. This principle of imputed righteousness, first exemplified in Abraham, highlights God's initiative in salvation and underscores that salvation is a gift received by faith, not a wage earned by works. It establishes a universal path to salvation, accessible to all who believe, irrespective of their ethnic background or their ability to perfectly keep a legal code.

* [Romans 4:3](/romans/4-3 "Romans 4:3 - Abraham's Faith Credited as Righteousness")
* [James 2:23](/james/2-23 "James 2:23 - Abraham's Faith and Works")
* [Romans 3:28](/romans/3-28 "Romans 3:28 - Justification by Faith Apart from Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 3:6 offers profound comfort and liberation to believers today. It assures us that our acceptance before God is not contingent on our fluctuating performance, our adherence to a set of rules, or our participation in religious rituals. Instead, our righteousness is a gift, graciously imputed to us by God when we place our faith in Jesus Christ. This truth frees us from the crushing burden of trying to earn God's favor, allowing us to rest securely in His finished work on the cross. It empowers us to live not out of a need to prove ourselves, but out of gratitude for the unmerited grace we have received, fostering genuine humility and a deep appreciation for God's boundless love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding "imputed righteousness" change your perspective on your standing before God?**
* **In what ways might you still be tempted to rely on your own works or efforts for God's approval, rather than resting solely on faith?**
* **How does Abraham's example encourage you to trust God more fully, even when His promises seem unlikely or difficult?**

### FAQ
**What does "accounted to him for righteousness" truly mean?**

Answer: This phrase signifies that God, in His grace, legally credited or imputed righteousness to Abraham's spiritual account. It means Abraham was declared righteous in God's sight, not because he was inherently perfect or had earned it through his deeds, but because he placed his faith in God. It's a divine declaration of right standing, a gift of status, rather than an earned achievement. This concept is foundational to understanding justification by faith, where God's perfect righteousness is attributed to believers through Christ, as further explained in [Romans 4:3-5](/romans/4-3-5 "Romans 4:3-5 - Righteousness Credited Apart from Works").

**Why does Paul use Abraham as the primary example for justification by faith?**

Answer: Paul's choice of Abraham is highly strategic and effective. Abraham was the revered patriarch of the Jewish people, the recipient of the covenant promises, and a figure of immense respect. By demonstrating that Abraham himself was justified by faith *before* the Law was given (by 430 years, as noted in [Galatians 3:17](/galatians/3-17 "Galatians 3:17 - The Law Came 430 Years Later")) and *before* he was circumcised (as discussed in [Romans 4:9-11](/romans/4-9-11 "Romans 4:9-11 - Righteousness Before Circumcision")), Paul effectively dismantles the Judaizers' argument that Gentile believers needed to observe the Mosaic Law or be circumcised. Abraham's experience proves that God's plan for salvation has always been through faith, making him the spiritual father of all believers, whether Jew or Gentile.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 3:6, by pointing to Abraham's faith as the basis for his righteousness, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and complete fulfillment of God's plan for righteousness in Jesus Christ. Abraham's faith was directed towards God's promises, which ultimately centered on the coming seed—Christ Himself ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed is Christ")). While Abraham believed God's word, believers today place their faith in the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled all righteousness and bore the curse of the Law on our behalf ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). Our righteousness is not merely credited *to* us, but it is found *in* Christ, for He became sin for us "that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Our Righteousness")). Thus, Abraham's experience serves as a divine blueprint, illustrating that salvation has always been, and forever will be, a gift of grace received through faith, perfectly embodied and secured in the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 15:6

And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Romans 4:21

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Romans 4:22

And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

James 2:23

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Romans 4:3

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Romans 4:6

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

Romans 4:24

But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;