12. And Abraham is also the father of those who have been circumcised. But it is not their circumcision that makes him their father. He is their father only if they live following the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
13. Abraham and his descendants received the promise that they would get the whole world. But Abraham did not receive that promise because he followed the law. He received that promise because he was right with God through his faith.
14. If people could get God’s promise by following the law, then faith is worthless. And God’s promise to Abraham is worthless,
15. because the law can only bring God’s anger on those who disobey it. But if there is no law, then there is nothing to disobey.