Rom 4 | TNotes | STEP | 4:1 Jews in Paul’s day revered Abraham as Israel’s founder . Some Jewish texts claim that Abraham never sinned ( Prayer of Manasseh 8; Jubilees 23:10). Others emphasize his obedience to the law of Moses as the basis for his relationship with God ( 1 Maccabees 2:52; Sirach 44:19-20). However, Paul demonstrates that Abraham’s faith, not his obedience, established his status with God. Abraham’s position as the founder of God’s people demonstrates that justification by faith is central in God’s plan.

4:1 ^a Jews in Paul’s day revered Abraham as Israel’s founder. Some Jewish texts claim that Abraham never sinned (Prayer of Manasseh 8; Jubilees 23:10). Others emphasize his obedience to the law of Moses as the basis for his relationship with God (1 Maccabees 2:52; Sirach 44:19-20). However, Paul demonstrates that Abraham’s faith, not his obedience, established his status with God. Abraham’s position as the founder of God’s people demonstrates that justification by faith is central in God’s plan.
4:3 ^b Paul quotes Gen 15:6 ^c. In response to God’s promise that he would have descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, Abraham believed God. It was faith that established Abraham’s relationship with God—not works (Rom 4:3-8 ^d), circumcision (4:9-12 ^e), the law (4:13-17 ^f), or the number of his descendants (4:18-21 ^g).
Summary for Rom 4:4-5: 4:4-5 ^h The logic of these verses is as follows: (1) The stated premise is that when people work, their pay is what they have earned, not a gift. (2) The unstated premise is that God is never indebted to his creatures (because they owe him everything), so anything he gives them is a gift (see also 9:14-16 ⁱ). (3) The conclusion is that therefore, people cannot be declared righteous before God because of their works.
Summary for Rom 4:7-8: 4:7-8 ^j This quotation from Ps 32:1-2 ^k follows the Jewish custom of supporting a reference to the Law with a reference in the Prophets or the Writings. Paul also uses a Jewish exegetical technique of linking unrelated quotations with a key word. Here, record . . . has cleared translates the same Greek word as “counted” in Rom 4:3 ^l.
4:10 ^m God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised! Paul’s point is simple: God’s declaration of Abraham’s righteousness in Gen 15:6 ⁿ could not have been based on his circumcision, which happened later (Gen 17 ^o). This point further demonstrates that God’s acceptance and blessing is a free gift and not earned by works.
Summary for Rom 4:11-12: 4:11-12 ^p When God instituted circumcision, he called it “a sign of the covenant” between himself and Abraham (Gen 17:11 ^q). The covenant was already in place (Gen 12:1-3 ^r; 15:1-21 ^s; 17:1-8 ^t) even before Abraham was circumcised (Gen 17:9-14 ^u). This shows that the covenant was based on faith, not circumcision. So Abraham is the spiritual father of all people, whether circumcised (Jews) or uncircumcised (Gentiles), who have the same kind of faith Abraham had—that is, faith in God’s promises (Rom 4:13-25 ^v).
4:13 ^w the whole earth: God told Abraham that he would be the father of many nations (4:17 ^x; Gen 12:2 ^y; 13:16 ^z; 15:5 ^aa; 17:4-6 ^ab, 16-20 ^ac; 22:17 ^ad) and that he would be the means of blessing to all people (Gen 12:3 ^ae; 18:18 ^af; 22:18 ^ag; cp. Isa 55:3-5 ^ah).
4:14 ^ai then faith is not necessary (literally faith is emptied): If works of obedience can be substituted for faith, then “faith is emptied” of its importance. Believing in God means acknowledging our unworthiness and depending entirely on God’s mercy.
4:15 ^aj The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break! (literally where there is no law, neither is there transgression): Paul always uses the word “transgression” to denote disobedience of a clear commandment of God (see also 2:23 ^ak; 5:14 ^al; Gal 3:19 ^am; 1 Tim 2:14 ^an). Transgression only exists where the law exists, which is why the law always brings punishment. The law that God gave to the Israelites specified requirements in great detail, which made the people more accountable for sin than before. So when they inevitably disobeyed the law, God brought more severe punishment upon them.
4:16 ^ao whether or not we live according to the law of Moses (literally not only those who are of the law): The Jews were of the law in that their covenant with God included the law of Moses and they were to live according to it.
4:24 ^ap raised ... from the dead: Abraham experienced the life-giving power of God in the birth of his son Isaac. Christians witness it in the resurrection of Jesus. Throughout history, salvation has been available only through faith in God, who makes and keeps his promises.