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Romans 4 The Faith of Abraham

1 Abraham Justified by Faith
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter?

2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.

3 What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.

5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are they
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.

8 Blessed is the man
whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.

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

11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

12 And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

13 It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

14 For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless,

15 because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.

20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,

21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”

23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone,

24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

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Analysis of Romans Chapter 4

Romans Chapter 4 is a cornerstone of Pauline theology, delving deeply into the themes of faith, righteousness, and the relationship between the works of the Law and the grace offered through Jesus Christ. Paul uses Abraham, a central figure in Jewish tradition, to illustrate his arguments, making this chapter especially impactful for both Jewish and Gentile audiences. This analysis will explore the key verses and themes in Romans Chapter 4, providing an insightful interpretation of Paul’s message.

Verses 1-3: Abraham Justified by Faith

Paul begins by asking a rhetorical question about Abraham, “What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?” (Romans 4:1). This question sets the stage for discussing Abraham’s significance in understanding justification by faith.

Paul immediately tackles the notion that Abraham was justified by works, stating unequivocally, “If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'” (Romans 4:2-3). Paul cites Genesis 15:6 to emphasize that Abraham’s righteousness stemmed from his belief in God’s promises, not his deeds.

This declaration is revolutionary because it counters the common Jewish belief that righteousness was achieved through adherence to the Law. Paul underscores that Abraham’s faith predates the Mosaic Law, making faith, rather than law adherence, the basis of righteousness.

Verses 4-8: The Nature of Faith and Grace

Next, Paul explains the distinction between wages and gifts, using an analogy to highlight the nature of faith. “Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.” (Romans 4:4-5). This analogy clarifies that righteousness comes through faith and not by earning it through human efforts.

Paul further reinforces his argument by referencing King David, another revered figure in Jewish history. “David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.'” (Romans 4:6-8). By invoking David, Paul connects his doctrine of justification by faith to the experience of another significant Old Testament figure.

“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” (Romans 4:7-8)

This quote from Psalm 32 emphasizes the blessedness of forgiveness — a state achievable through faith in God’s grace, rather than through compliance with the Mosaic Law.

Verses 9-12: Righteousness and Circumcision

In this section, Paul addresses another critical issue: circumcision. Given its importance as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham’s descendants, the question arises whether circumcision affects righteousness. Paul asks, “Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised?” (Romans 4:9).

Paul answers by noting that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness before he was circumcised. “Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before!” (Romans 4:10). Consequently, circumcision becomes a sign and seal of the righteousness by faith that Abraham had while still uncircumcised (Romans 4:11).

This argument is crucial because it establishes that righteousness by faith is universal — available to both Jews (the circumcised) and Gentiles (the uncircumcised). Abraham is thus positioned as the spiritual father of all who believe, whether or not they follow Jewish customs (Romans 4:12).

Verses 13-17: The Promise Realized through Faith

Continuing his argument, Paul states that the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be the heir of the world was not through the Law but through the righteousness that comes by faith (Romans 4:13). By asserting this, Paul places the value on faith rather than the Law, indicating that the Law itself does not bring about the promise but faith does.

He elaborates further: “For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression” (Romans 4:14-15). Therefore, adherence to the Law is not a path to receiving God’s promises; rather, it highlights human shortcomings and incites divine wrath.

In contrast, the promise depends on faith “so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all” (Romans 4:16). Paul thus universalizes the promise, making it accessible to all who believe, reflecting God’s inclusive grace.

Paul summarizes this by quoting Scripture: “As it is written: ‘I have made you a father of many nations.’ He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not” (Romans 4:17). This quote reaffirms God’s sovereignty and creativity, underpinning Abraham’s faith.

Verses 18-22: The Nature of Abraham’s Faith

Now, Paul delves into the nature and quality of Abraham’s faith. “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead” (Romans 4:18-19).

Despite the apparent impossibility of God’s promise being fulfilled, Abraham’s faith did not waver. His unwavering belief in God’s promise, even when human possibilities were exhausted, highlights the strength and purity of his faith.

Paul continues: “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness'” (Romans 4:20-22). Abraham’s faith glorified God and stood as a testament to God’s omnipotence and faithfulness.

Verses 23-25: Application to Believers

Paul concludes Romans Chapter 4 by applying Abraham’s example to all believers. “The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead” (Romans 4:23-24). This connection bridges the historical and theological gap, making Abraham’s experience relevant for contemporary believers.

Finally, Paul highlights the centrality of the resurrection: “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:25). The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christian faith, completing the process of justification initiated by His sacrifice on the cross.

Conclusion

Romans Chapter 4 is a profound exposition of faith, righteousness, and the universality of God’s promise. Through the example of Abraham, Paul illustrates that righteousness comes through faith, not by works or adherence to the Law. This message is not only relevant to Jews and Gentiles of Paul’s time but remains a foundational truth for believers today.

By emphasizing the inclusive nature of God’s promise and the sufficiency of faith, Paul unites believers under a common spiritual heritage. Abraham’s story becomes a testament to the power of faith and God’s unwavering faithfulness, setting a precedent for all who seek God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul’s arguments in Romans 4 challenge believers to reflect on the nature of their faith and the source of their righteousness. It’s a call to embrace the grace offered through Christ, moving beyond a legalistic mindset to one rooted in trust and dependency on God’s promises.