4:10a

In what context was it credited?: This is a rhetorical question. Paul used this question to introduce the next question. In some languages a question is not natural here. If that is true in your language, translate it as a statement. For example:

Consider how/when it was counted to him.
-or-
Think about how/when ⌊God⌋ counted his faith as righteousness.

This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that indicates a general connection to the previous verses. The Berean Standard Bible leaves this word implicit. In some languages it would be natural to translate it. For example:

Then, when was it counted to him?

was it credited: The word it refers to Abraham’s faith. Also, the phrase “as righteousness” is implied from 4:9d. In some languages it is more natural or more clear to include the implied information or explain what it means here. For example:

was his faith counted to him
-or-
was it counted to him ⌊as righteousness⌋
-or-
was his faith counted to him ⌊as righteousness⌋

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

did ⌊God⌋ count his faith to him

4:10b

Was it after his circumcision, or before?: The Greek is more literally “was he in circumcision or in uncircumcision?” It asks whether he was circumcised or not at the time God counted him as righteous.

This is a rhetorical question. Paul answered it in 4:10c. The question causes the reader to think what the answer might be. You should translate it as a question, because Paul answered it in 4:10c.

Was it after…or before: The word it refers to the event of God counting Abraham as righteous. In some languages a word or phrase other than it must be used to clearly refer to that event. For example:

Was that event before or after
-or-
Was that deed done before or after

his circumcision: Here is another way to translate this phrase:

⌊someone⌋ circumcised him

4:10c

It was not after, but before: There words are the answer to the question in 4:10b. The Greek is literally “not in circumcision but in uncircumcision.” It indicates that God counted Abraham righteous as an uncircumcised man. Here are other ways to translate these words:

Not when he had been circumcised, but while he was still uncircumcised (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
It was not after, but before he was circumcised (English Standard Version)

In some languages it is more natural to have the positive first. For example:

It was before, not after (Good News Translation)

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