In Romans 3:28, Paul had just declared, “So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.” Now in Romans 4, Paul anticipates Jewish readers objecting: “What about Abraham, our father? Didn’t he find favor with God by his good deeds?” To answer this, Paul turns to the patriarch himself, asking, “Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God?” (Romans 4:1). If anyone in Jewish history was justified by works, it would be Abraham—but Paul is about to show that even Abraham was justified by faith alone.
In verse 2, Paul acknowledges, “If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way.” And to prove his point, he quotes Genesis 15:6: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith” (Romans 4:3). Abraham’s story affirms that salvation is never earned; it’s a gift from God in response to faith.
Paul makes the distinction clear: “When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned” (Romans 4:4). But righteousness is not a paycheck—it’s a grace-gift. Verse 5 emphasizes, “But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.” That statement alone would have stunned first-century Jews—God “forgives sinners” simply by faith?
To reinforce his point, Paul appeals not only to Abraham but also to King David. He quotes Psalm 32:1 when David described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it: ‘Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin’” (Romans 4:6–8). Even David, despite his sin, knew the joy of grace. His forgiveness wasn’t earned; it was received by faith.
Now Paul addresses another key question: “Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles?” (Romans 4:9). To answer, he goes back to the timeline. When was Abraham declared righteous—before or after circumcision? “Clearly, God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised!” (Romans 4:10). Therefore, faith is not tied to rituals or ethnic identity. Abraham became “the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised” (v. 11), and he’s also “the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised,” but only if they walk in his footsteps of faith (v. 12).
Paul continues by showing that the promises made to Abraham weren’t tied to the law. “Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith” (Romans 4:13). The law came much later, and as Paul says in verse 15, “The law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!)”
So what is the solution? “The promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it … if we have faith like Abraham’s” (Romans 4:16). This was not blind faith; it was faith in a God who “brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing” (v. 17). Abraham believed that—even though his body and Sarah’s womb were as good as dead.
“Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations” (Romans 4:18). He faced the facts of his situation, but didn’t let them determine his faith. “Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God” (v. 20). Why? “He was fully convinced that God can do whatever he promises” (v. 21). That’s why, Paul says, “God counted him as righteous” (v. 22).
And then Paul draws the line from Abraham to us: “And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too” (Romans 4:23–24). Like Abraham, we are “counted as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead” (v. 24). Finally, Paul ends with the gospel in a sentence: “He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God” (Romans 4:25).
Truths and Lessons for Today
1. Justification Is by Faith, Not Works
No one earns salvation by obeying laws or doing good deeds. Even Abraham, the father of the Jewish faith, was counted righteous simply because he trusted God.
🡲 Application: Stop striving to earn God’s approval. Instead, rest in the truth that He accepts you because of faith in Jesus—not because of your performance.
📖 “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” (Romans 4:3, NLT)
2. Real Faith Trusts God Beyond the Evidence
Abraham believed God even when his situation looked hopeless. He didn’t ignore reality—but he trusted God’s promises more than his circumstances.
🡲 Application: When life looks impossible, choose to believe in God’s power over your problems. Let your confidence grow as you focus on who He is, not what you see.
📖 “Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations.” (Romans 4:18, NLT)
3. The Resurrection Guarantees Our Justification
Christ’s death paid for our sins. His resurrection proved the payment was accepted. Our righteousness comes through trusting in the risen Jesus, not through religious effort.
🡲 Application: Anchor your hope in the resurrection. When doubt rises, remember that Jesus’ victory over the grave secures your forgiveness and standing with God.
📖 “He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.” (Romans 4:25, NLT)
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