# How was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before!

Paul asks two questions to introduce the third sentence. The first question is a general question, and the second question specifically narrows the first question down to the matter of circumcision. The statement answers the second question directly. The first question may be translated in active form. If your language does not allow speakers to introduce what they are talking about using questions, you may need to translate these all as statements. Alternate translation: "How did God consider Abraham to be righteous? Did he do it before Abraham was circumcised, or after? It was not after, but before!" or "This is when it was counted to him: it was not after he had been circumcised, but before!" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

# How was it counted to him?

Paul is asking in a general way about the circumstances in which God considered Abraham righteous. He is not asking what procedure God followed to consider Abraham righteous. Alternate translation: "When was it counted to him?" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

# It was not after, but before

"It happened before he was circumcised, not after he was circumcised"