According to this verse, we are correct to understand that Abram (later renamed Abraham, Genesis 17:5) worshipped pagan gods before the Lord revealed himself to him. Abram did not emerge from profound ignorance and the abyss of error on account of his own virtue or insight, he was drawn out by the hand of God.1 He was loved by the Lord even though he was dead in sins and transgressions (see Ephesians 2:1–3).
2 And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods.