What did Abraham find out that would not give him Justification? vs 1 asks a question. What did he find out about the "flesh"?
Flesh refers to human effort and ability. It means something like this... He probably was a thinking man, an honorable man, and he may thought like the writer of Psalm 19, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handy work." He may well of heard them speak, "Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night shows knowledge."
He may have said to himself, "There must be a great God that created this universe. I will live the best life that I can! I will work hard, and do good! I will pray to this God! I will build images of this God! I will pray every day to this great God! And hopefully, this great God will see my efforts, and He will reward me by taking me to be where He is.
Abraham was so faithful and tried so hard to please God, that if it were possible to earn God's favor, he surely would have. But what did Abraham find out?
He found out it was impossible to be good enough! But he did hear God say to him, "Abram! Ge thee out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house, unto a land that I will show you..." Genesis 12:1
Abraham believed God and obeyed His instructions. Read the account of his journey and sojourn in the country God gave him, and you will come to vs 15:6 "And Abram believed in the Lord, and God counted it to him for righteousness." Abraham discovered that his religious efforts and good works could not earn Heaven, but just believing what God says "will!" He believed two things that showed his faith. Romans 4:16-17, "He believed God who quickens (makes alive) the dead, and calls those things which be not (future events) as though they were (already). "
