What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Romans 4 is a pivotal chapter in Paul's letter, building upon the foundation laid in the preceding chapters regarding sin, law, and God's righteousness. Here, Paul delves into the example of Abraham, the revered patriarch of the Jewish faith, to illustrate the core principle of justification by faith. This chapter skillfully dismantles the notion that righteousness can be earned through works and instead highlights God's gracious gift received through faith in Him. It's a message of hope and inclusion, extending God's promise not only to the circumcised but to all who believe.
Justification by Faith, Not by Works (Romans 4:1-8)
Paul begins by asking a crucial question: What did Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discover in this matter? (Romans 4:1). The answer is profound: Abraham's righteousness was not a reward for his actions. If Abraham had been justified by works, he would have had grounds for boasting (Romans 4:2). However, boasting is incompatible with God's grace. Works inevitably lead to self-reliance and pride, hindering a true relationship with God. As long as we’re boasting, we aren’t clinging to God’s grace.
Instead, Genesis 15:6 clearly states that "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." This declaration predates any act of obedience, including circumcision. God's acceptance of Abraham was based solely on his trust in God's promise. This is not a transaction; it comes to the one who does not work, the one who believes on him who declares the ungodly to be righteous (Romans 4:5). It’s a gift, plain and simple. If you just reach out your hand and take it, then it’s yours. But if you work for it, you dismiss the gift and treat it as a wage that is earned.
To further emphasize this point, Paul quotes David from Psalm 32, who speaks of the blessedness of those whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sins are covered (Romans 4:6-8). This forgiveness is not earned; it is a gracious act of God, where He chooses not to count our sins against us. Sins are not overcome by hard work, and lawless acts are not outweighed by good deeds. God does the forgiving; God does the covering; we simply believe it and receive it.
Circumcision: A Sign and Seal of Righteousness (Romans 4:9-12)
Paul anticipates a potential objection: What about circumcision? Wasn't Abraham righteous because he obeyed God's command to be circumcised? Paul clarifies that Abraham was declared righteous before he was circumcised. When was Abraham credited with righteousness—while he was circumcised, or uncircumcised (Romans 4:10)? Any Jew would have known the answer to that. Abraham believed God’s promise back in Genesis 15, which took place before the sign of circumcision.
Circumcision, therefore, was not the cause of Abraham's righteousness but rather a sign and a seal of the righteousness he already possessed through faith (Romans 4:11). It served as a visible confirmation of God's prior declaration.
This understanding has profound implications. Abraham becomes the father of all who believe, both circumcised (Jews) and uncircumcised (Gentiles). He is the father of all who share his faith, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. Again, we see the radical equality of all people before God. Jew and Gentile come to God on the same basis—faith.
The Promise Through Faith, Not Through Law (Romans 4:13-17)
God's promise to Abraham and his descendants was that he would be heir of the world (Romans 4:13). Was this promise based on adherence to the law? Paul argues emphatically that it was not. All the law can do is reveal our sin. Without it, we wouldn’t know that we had fallen short of the standard. But as it is, the law produces wrath (Romans 4:15). This is why faith is so essential: those who are of the law (Romans 4:16) are under a just penalty of condemnation because of the law. Trying to escape the penalty of the law by works of the law is like trying to quench your thirst by drinking salt water. You only make the problem worse.
The promise was given to Abraham centuries before the law was even established. If the promise depended on the law, it would nullify faith and render the promise void (Romans 4:14). This is because no one can perfectly keep the law.
Instead, the promise comes through 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 (Romans 4:16). Abraham is the father of us all.
Abraham's Example of Unwavering Faith (Romans 4:18-22)
Paul highlights the remarkable nature of Abraham's faith. Abraham’s great act of faith actually didn’t have anything to do with circumcision or the law at all. It had to do with God’s promise to give Abraham and Sarah a son, even though Abraham was about a hundred years old and Sarah’s womb was barren (Romans 4:19).
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” (Romans 4:18). He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God (Romans 4:20). Here we see how Abraham could have such incredible hope and faith. Abraham was strengthened in his faith (Romans 4:20) because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do (Romans 4:21). That’s the best definition of faith ever. Did God say it? Can God pull off what God said? To doubt him is to question whether he tells the truth.
Abraham's faith was not a passive acceptance but an active trust that grew stronger over time. He was fully persuaded that God had the power to fulfill what He had promised.
Faith Credited as Righteousness for Us (Romans 4:23-25)
Paul concludes by drawing a direct parallel between Abraham's faith and our own. 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).
Just as Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness, so too will righteousness be credited to us who believe in the God who raised Jesus from the dead. Abraham trusted the power of God to bring life from a seemingly dead situation (barrenness). We have seen the power of God bring life from the literal death of the Son. Our faith is in the same God, the same power, but with a clearer revelation in Jesus Christ. Abraham only saw in shadows and hints, we see fully. We know that the object of our faith is Jesus our Lord, who was raised from the dead (Romans 4:24). He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification (Romans 4:25).
Romans 4 is a testament to the boundless grace of God, offering righteousness as a free gift to all who believe. It underscores the importance of faith, not as a mere intellectual assent, but as a living, active trust in the God who keeps His promises.
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Romans 4 is a pivotal chapter in Paul's letter, building upon the foundation laid in the preceding chapters regarding sin, law, and God's righteousness. Here, Paul delves into the example of Abraham, the revered patriarch of the Jewish faith, to illustrate the core principle of justification by faith. This chapter skillfully dismantles the notion that righteousness can be earned through works and instead highlights God's gracious gift received through faith in Him. It's a message of hope and inclusion, extending God's promise not only to the circumcised but to all who believe.
Justification by Faith, Not by Works (Romans 4:1-8)
Paul begins by asking a crucial question: What did Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discover in this matter? (Romans 4:1). The answer is profound: Abraham's righteousness was not a reward for his actions. If Abraham had been justified by works, he would have had grounds for boasting (Romans 4:2). However, boasting is incompatible with God's grace. Works inevitably lead to self-reliance and pride, hindering a true relationship with God. As long as we’re boasting, we aren’t clinging to God’s grace.
Instead, Genesis 15:6 clearly states that "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." This declaration predates any act of obedience, including circumcision. God's acceptance of Abraham was based solely on his trust in God's promise. This is not a transaction; it comes to the one who does not work, the one who believes on him who declares the ungodly to be righteous (Romans 4:5). It’s a gift, plain and simple. If you just reach out your hand and take it, then it’s yours. But if you work for it, you dismiss the gift and treat it as a wage that is earned.
To further emphasize this point, Paul quotes David from Psalm 32, who speaks of the blessedness of those whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sins are covered (Romans 4:6-8). This forgiveness is not earned; it is a gracious act of God, where He chooses not to count our sins against us. Sins are not overcome by hard work, and lawless acts are not outweighed by good deeds. God does the forgiving; God does the covering; we simply believe it and receive it.
Circumcision: A Sign and Seal of Righteousness (Romans 4:9-12)
Paul anticipates a potential objection: What about circumcision? Wasn't Abraham righteous because he obeyed God's command to be circumcised? Paul clarifies that Abraham was declared righteous before he was circumcised. When was Abraham credited with righteousness—while he was circumcised, or uncircumcised (Romans 4:10)? Any Jew would have known the answer to that. Abraham believed God’s promise back in Genesis 15, which took place before the sign of circumcision.
Circumcision, therefore, was not the cause of Abraham's righteousness but rather a sign and a seal of the righteousness he already possessed through faith (Romans 4:11). It served as a visible confirmation of God's prior declaration.
This understanding has profound implications. Abraham becomes the father of all who believe, both circumcised (Jews) and uncircumcised (Gentiles). He is the father of all who share his faith, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. Again, we see the radical equality of all people before God. Jew and Gentile come to God on the same basis—faith.
The Promise Through Faith, Not Through Law (Romans 4:13-17)
God's promise to Abraham and his descendants was that he would be heir of the world (Romans 4:13). Was this promise based on adherence to the law? Paul argues emphatically that it was not. All the law can do is reveal our sin. Without it, we wouldn’t know that we had fallen short of the standard. But as it is, the law produces wrath (Romans 4:15). This is why faith is so essential: those who are of the law (Romans 4:16) are under a just penalty of condemnation because of the law. Trying to escape the penalty of the law by works of the law is like trying to quench your thirst by drinking salt water. You only make the problem worse.
The promise was given to Abraham centuries before the law was even established. If the promise depended on the law, it would nullify faith and render the promise void (Romans 4:14). This is because no one can perfectly keep the law.
Instead, the promise comes through 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 (Romans 4:16). Abraham is the father of us all.
Abraham's Example of Unwavering Faith (Romans 4:18-22)
Paul highlights the remarkable nature of Abraham's faith. Abraham’s great act of faith actually didn’t have anything to do with circumcision or the law at all. It had to do with God’s promise to give Abraham and Sarah a son, even though Abraham was about a hundred years old and Sarah’s womb was barren (Romans 4:19).
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” (Romans 4:18). He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God (Romans 4:20). Here we see how Abraham could have such incredible hope and faith. Abraham was strengthened in his faith (Romans 4:20) because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do (Romans 4:21). That’s the best definition of faith ever. Did God say it? Can God pull off what God said? To doubt him is to question whether he tells the truth.
Abraham's faith was not a passive acceptance but an active trust that grew stronger over time. He was fully persuaded that God had the power to fulfill what He had promised.
Faith Credited as Righteousness for Us (Romans 4:23-25)
Paul concludes by drawing a direct parallel between Abraham's faith and our own. 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).
Just as Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness, so too will righteousness be credited to us who believe in the God who raised Jesus from the dead. Abraham trusted the power of God to bring life from a seemingly dead situation (barrenness). We have seen the power of God bring life from the literal death of the Son. Our faith is in the same God, the same power, but with a clearer revelation in Jesus Christ. Abraham only saw in shadows and hints, we see fully. We know that the object of our faith is Jesus our Lord, who was raised from the dead (Romans 4:24). He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification (Romans 4:25).
Romans 4 is a testament to the boundless grace of God, offering righteousness as a free gift to all who believe. It underscores the importance of faith, not as a mere intellectual assent, but as a living, active trust in the God who keeps His promises.