Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Even though Abraham's earthly life ended long before Jesus' birth and atoning death, multiple passages in the Bible (such as Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3, Romans 4:22, Galatians 3:6, and James 2:23) indicate that he was justified or saved (that is, counted as righteous) during his lifetime by his faith in God's promises (which included the promise of a Messiah who would redeem mankind that God made repeatedly, starting as early as Genesis 3:15) -- a faith that he also demonstrated in actions such as leaving his ancestral home of Ur at God's direction, and (most especially) by being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac (whose birth he had awaited for many years) because God had directed him to do so.

(In addition, Jesus Himself, during His own earthly ministry, indicated Abraham's eternally-saved condition in the account of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:22-23).)

(Hebrews 11 lists many other Old Testament figures who lived long before the time of Christ, but who were saved by their faith in God's promise of the future redemption that Jesus would achieve by His atoning death and subsequent resurrection.)

August 04 2021 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Appelt Supporter

The timing and method of Abraham’s salvation is thought to be based on Genesis 15:6, which Paul quotes in Romans 4:3 and Galatians 3:6, and which James quotes in James 2:23. It seems to describe Abraham’s coming to faith. However, a look at the passages leads to a different conclusion. 

These verses do say that Abraham believed in the Lord. Genesis 15:2-5 clearly indicates what Abraham believed. The Lord told him that his son would come from his body, not from a servant or steward. Also, his descendants would be innumerable as the stars. He believed in the Lord’s words despite not having any possible idea of how that would work not having any offspring. Romans 4:16-22 explains Abraham’s faith.

Like other Old Testament people, Abraham believed in the coming Messiah and knew the Lord, as Moses understood the hope of the Messiah, Hebrews 11:26 and Samuel came to know the Lord in 1 Samuel 3:1-14. Even though Jesus had not yet died, they were saved at the moment they believed. They believed in Him.

However, Genesis 15 is not the passage that explains how or when Abraham came to be saved. That had to be before then because God appeared to him, Acts 7:1-2, and he consequently obeyed the Lord to go to the promised land, Genesis 12:1-4, Hebrews 11:8. He already had faith in the Lord and was worshiping Him, Genesis 12:7.

If Abraham was not saved in Genesis 15, as Romans 4:3 seems to indicate, then what was Paul saying? Abraham was counted righteous by his action of faith, just as David was blessed when he believed the promise of God to forgive sins, Romans 4:6-8 quoting Psalm 32:1-2. These experiences happened after they came to know the Lord. 

Abraham had been in the land awhile when God told him the “impossible” news which he believed. David had likely already been made king when he believed the promise of God to forgive when he sinned. The individual faith of these men was rewarded. They were like Abel who “...obtained witness that he was righteous…” Hebrews 11:4. Abraham’s faith registered righteousness in his account. James 2:23 emphasizes that Abraham consistently exhibited an active faith, James 2:21-24.

The illustrations Paul used did not indicate salvation of either Abraham or David, but yet showed the principle of faith applies to the believer’s salvation, Romans 4:23-25, Galatians 3:5-9. These passages emphasize that one is saved not by the law or by works, but by faith. The believer has righteousness imputed to his account and has forgiveness of sins. 

The same principle of faith that plays a part in initial salvation is also for Christians to live by after they are saved, as Abraham and David exhibited. Every action in which faith is demonstrated will be recognized by the Lord and the results be revealed at the Judgment Seat of Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10. 

Abraham was saved before he came into the land and continued to demonstrate his faith long after.

June 18 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Daniel Veler Supporter

Your question is, "Was Abraham saved? If yes, how and when (before or after Jesus died)?"

The short answer is yes, he was saved before Christ’s crucifixion. If you read Hebrews 11, you’ll find out when he received God’s righteousness. 

Hebrews 11:11: By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

Then we read Romans 4:16: But to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Abraham was imputed with the righteousness of God when he believed that God would make him the father of many nations. God had promised him a child, and this is when God imputed righteousness to Abraham.

June 18 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report