"Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to
him
for righteousness; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we
believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead."
After saying many great things of Abraham, and his faith, and
righteousness, and honor before God, lest the hearer should say,
What is this to us, for it is he that was justified? he places us close
to the Patriarch again. So great is the power of spiritual words. For of
one of the Gentiles, one who was recently come near, one who had
done no work, he not only says that he is in nothing inferior to the
Jew who believes (i.e. as a Jew), but not even to the Patriarch, but
rather, if one must give utterance to the wondrous truth, even much
greater. For so noble is our birth, that his faith is but the type of
ours. And he does not say, If it was reckoned unto him, it is probable
it will be also to us, that he might not make it matter of syllogism.