Abraham was reckoned as righteous by faith; and this was when he was still yet uncircumcised. So he was declared just by God through faith without any work of the law; for at the time, there was no law given. For “We maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” (Romans 3:28) And if it is apart from works, then it is counted as grace, so that righteousness may be granted as a gift; for God’s Promise was given, and Abraham believed it. And this is not only for Abraham, but also the uncircumcised Gentiles too, who are made right with God through that same very faith which Abraham had when he was still uncircumcised, "That Abraham might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them.” (Romans 4:11-12) So Abraham has become the father of all who believe, whether Jew or Greek; as it says, “Indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.” (Romans 3:30)
Now in regard to the distinction between the circumcised and the uncircumcised, namely, one being justified by faith and the other through faith, is this: the circumcised already have a righteousness through the law, so by an instance of faith they are justified, so that it might be “by faith”. For the Jews thought that by doing right according to the law they may be declared just; “nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.” (Galatians 2:16) Whereas the godless Gentiles have no righteousness at all, so righteousness is worked in them through faith to justification. And without question faith is worked in a person through the Word of Christ. To further this point: Paul wrote to the Ephesian church, who were “Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," (Ephesians 2:11) and “were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise,” (Ephesians 2:12) and their salvation is brought about “by grace through faith.” (Ephesians 2:8)
And God-fearing gentiles are treated amongst those who are justified by an instance of faith, for they are considered “circumcised” through their virtue although being uncircumcised in the flesh; as it was with Cornelius, “a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man.” (Acts 10:22) For “If the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?” (Romans 2:26) Nevertheless, it is faith for all, Jew and Greek; and faith that persists until the end regardless of being Jew or Gentile, “unless you believed in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:2)
To further this point: Abraham was reckoned as righteous before God, but the promise was not yet fulfilled, for he did no righteous act; but when he offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice, it says, “that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.” (James 2:22-23) Thus Abraham was reckoned as righteous on the merit of his faith before doing any righteous act; and when the Scripture was fulfilled, when his faith was made complete, then it was said of him, “Now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." (Genesis 22:12) So “You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;” (James 2:22) Then it was made known that he was justified; as it says, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?” (James 2:21) For “the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;” (1 John 3:7) So we see that faith leads us to righteousness; and a person who does what is right is righteous, not a person with faith alone. Nevertheless “we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.” (Galatians 5:5)
And this is in accordance with Paul’s writings which say, “with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Romans 10:10) For actions work alongside faith to salvation. And in regard to one with faith without works, it says, “Can that faith save him?” (James 2:14) “But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak.” (2 Corinthians 4:13-14) For the one with faith, in completion, is the one who is justified and saved. For at the harvest, reapers do not care about leaves or branches, but fruit. And likewise, "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 7:19) So “faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” (James 2:17)
So in conclusion: there is a righteousness which is derived from the law, but salvation is wrought by faith for everyone who believes. However Jews have a righteousness by the law before ever being justified by faith; so they have an outward show of righteousness without any inward working of grace; or in other words, they are righteous before ever being justified by faith; nevertheless the Jews are justified by faith apart from their works alongside with the Gentiles. And the heathen Gentiles believe in Jesus for justification and are brought to righteousness through that same very faith; hence Gentiles work through faith to justification. So all are brought to justification either by faith or through faith, brought to a justification which is apart from works, but made complete by works: “Apart from works,” as I said, meaning by faith we are reckoned as righteous according to the promise of God — and without question, faith is no more a work than hearing is a work. “Made complete by works,” as I said, as our roots grow down deep into Christ, God will cause fruit to bud, so that, by faith we may produce a harvest of good deeds to the glory of God, our Father in the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.