Romans 4:10

How then was it credited to him? Was he circumcised at the time, or not? No, he was not circumcised but uncircumcised!

Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before!

How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised;

But how did his faith help him? Was he declared righteous only after he had been circumcised, or was it before he was circumcised? The answer is that God accepted him first, and then he was circumcised later!

Now [think]: Was that declaration made before or after he was marked by the covenant rite of circumcision? That's right, [before] he was marked.

How, then, was it judged? when he had circumcision, or when he had it not? Not when he had it, but when he did not have it:

How then was it reckoned to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised.

How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised.