Rom 4 | MHM | STEP | The Case of Abraham Paul uses the example of Abraham to show that justification comes by faith, not by works. This is important because many Jews believed they could earn righteousness through their actions and privileges as Abraham’s descendants. Paul explains that Abraham, the father of their nation, was not justified by his works but by his faith in God. This teaching is foundational to understanding how we are made right with God. v. 1 : Paul begins by asking, What shall we say that Abraham our father has found? (Romans 4:1 ). Abraham, who is highly respected by the Jews, is presented as an example. If anyone could claim righteousness through works, it would be Abraham. But Paul challenges this idea by asking what Abraham gained as pertaining to the flesh , meaning through external actions like circumcision and religious privileges. The answer is that Abraham did not achieve righteousness through these things.

‏ Romans 4

The Case of Abraham

Paul uses the example of Abraham to show that justification comes by faith, not by works. This is important because many Jews believed they could earn righteousness through their actions and privileges as Abraham’s descendants. Paul explains that Abraham, the father of their nation, was not justified by his works but by his faith in God. This teaching is foundational to understanding how we are made right with God.

v. 1: Paul begins by asking, What shall we say that Abraham our father has found? (Romans 4:1 ^a). Abraham, who is highly respected by the Jews, is presented as an example. If anyone could claim righteousness through works, it would be Abraham. But Paul challenges this idea by asking what Abraham gained as pertaining to the flesh, meaning through external actions like circumcision and religious privileges. The answer is that Abraham did not achieve righteousness through these things.

v. 2: Paul says, If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God (Romans 4:2 ^b). Even if Abraham could boast about his good deeds before people, he could never boast before God. This is because no one can earn God’s favor through their own efforts. Paul reminds us that boasting has no place in our relationship with God. Our only boast should be in God’s grace and mercy (1 Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 3:8-9 ^c).

v. 3: Paul turns to Scripture, saying, What does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness (Romans 4:3; Genesis 15:6 ^d). This verse shows that Abraham was not justified by his works but by his faith in God’s promise. It was God’s grace that counted Abraham’s faith as righteousness. This teaches us that faith, not perfect obedience, is what makes us right with God.

v. 4–5: Paul explains the principle of grace versus works. He says, To the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as a debt (Romans 4:4 ^e). If Abraham had earned righteousness through works, it would not be a gift but something owed to him. However, Paul says, To the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness (Romans 4:5 ^f). This means that righteousness is a free gift from God, not something we can earn. Even the ungodly can be justified when they put their faith in Jesus Christ.

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v. 6–8: To further explain, Paul quotes David from the Psalms: Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin (Psalm 32:1-2; Romans 4:6-8 ^g). David describes the happiness of being forgiven by God. This forgiveness is not earned but freely given by God’s grace. It is not about being sinless but about having our sins covered and not counted against us. This is the foundation of true blessedness—being forgiven and accepted by God.

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The Case of Abraham

In this section, Paul explains when and why Abraham was justified by faith. He points out that Abraham was justified before he was circumcised and before the law was given. This teaches us that justification is not tied to rituals or the law, but is available to all who believe, both Jews and Gentiles.

v. 9–10: Paul asks, Does this blessedness come upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? (Romans 4:9 ^h). He reminds us that Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness before he was circumcised. This happened in Genesis 15:6 ⁱ, but Abraham was not circumcised until many years later (Genesis 17 ^j). This shows that justification is not limited to those who are circumcised. It also humbles those Jews who took pride in their circumcision, reminding them that Abraham was justified while still uncircumcised.

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v. 11: Paul says that circumcision was given to Abraham as a sign and seal of the righteousness of the faith he already had (Romans 4:11 ^k). This shows that sacraments, like circumcision or baptism, are outward signs of an inward faith. They are meant to confirm and strengthen the faith of believers. Abraham’s circumcision did not make him righteous; it was a seal of the faith that had already justified him. This teaches us that salvation is not about rituals but about true faith in God.

v. 12: Abraham is called the father of all who believe, both circumcised and uncircumcised. For Gentiles, he is the father because they are justified by faith, just as he was when he believed while uncircumcised. For Jews, Abraham is their father if they not only have circumcision but also follow in the steps of the faith that Abraham had (Romans 4:12 ^l). This shows that being Abraham’s true children is not about outward signs but about sharing his faith.

v. 13–15: Paul explains that the promise to Abraham—that he would be heir of the world—was not given through the law, but through the righteousness of faith (Romans 4:13 ^m). The law cannot make anyone an heir because it brings wrath by exposing sin. Where there is no law, there is no transgression (Romans 4:15 ⁿ). Therefore, justification must be by faith, not by the works of the law, because the law reveals sin rather than making us righteous.

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v. 16–17: The promise was given through faith so that it might be based on grace and be guaranteed to all of Abraham’s descendants. This includes not only the Jews (those under the law) but also Gentiles (those who share Abraham’s faith) (Romans 4:16 ^o). Paul quotes Genesis 17:5 ^p, where God says, I have made you a father of many nations. Abraham is the spiritual father of all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile, because they share his faith in God’s promises.

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The Case of Abraham

This section explains why Abraham is such an important example of faith. The Apostle Paul shows us how Abraham trusted God’s promises, even when it seemed impossible. Abraham’s faith is a model for all who want to be accepted by God, because he believed in the power and faithfulness of God, not in his own ability.

v. 18: Abraham “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” (Romans 4:18 ^q). Even when it seemed there was no reason to hope, Abraham trusted that God would keep His promise about having many descendants (Genesis 15:5 ^r). He believed God could do what seemed impossible.

v. 19: Abraham was “not weak in faith”. He did not focus on the fact that he was about a hundred years old or that Sarah’s womb was too old for having children . He did not let these physical obstacles weaken his trust in God’s promise.

v. 20: “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God” (Romans 4:20 ^s). Abraham did not doubt or argue with himself about whether God could keep His word. Instead, his faith grew stronger, and he honored God by trusting Him completely.

v. 21: Abraham was “fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform” (Romans 4:21 ^t). He was completely convinced that God could do anything He had promised. This absolute trust is the heart of true faith.

v. 22: Because of this faith, “it was imputed to him for righteousness” (Romans 4:22 ^u). God accepted Abraham as righteous, not because of his works, but because he trusted God's promise. This is why faith is so important for everyone who wants to be right with God.

The Case of Abraham

In the final section of this chapter, Paul applies the example of Abraham to all believers. He explains that Abraham's justification by faith was recorded not just as a historical account, but as a pattern for us to follow. This shows that the way of salvation has always been through faith, and it remains the same for everyone—Jews and Gentiles alike.

v. 23–24: Paul writes, It was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also (Romans 4:23-24 ^v). Abraham’s story is more than history; it is an example for us. Just as Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness, so our faith will also be counted as righteousness. This applies to everyone, whether Jew or Gentile, because God’s grace is unchanging. The same mercy and promise that applied to Abraham apply to all who believe in Jesus Christ.

v. 24: The condition for this privilege is faith. Paul says we must believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead. Abraham believed in God’s power to bring life from Sarah’s dead womb. We are called to believe in God’s even greater power to raise Jesus from the dead. This belief includes trusting not only in God’s power but also in his grace—knowing that Christ’s resurrection secures our salvation.

v. 25: Paul explains the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection. He writes, He was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification (Romans 4:25 ^w). Jesus was delivered to death as a sacrifice for our sins. He bore the punishment we deserved to satisfy God’s justice. But his resurrection completes our justification. When Jesus rose from the dead, it was proof that God accepted his sacrifice and that the debt for our sins was fully paid. His resurrection is the foundation of our hope and assurance that we are truly forgiven.

In summary, the story of Abraham teaches us that righteousness comes by faith, not by works. Just as Abraham trusted God’s promise, we are called to trust in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again for our justification. This is the great truth that brings comfort and hope to all believers.