Rom 4:3-5 | TNotes | STEP | 4:3 Paul quotes Gen 15:6 . 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 ), circumcision (4:9-12 ), the law (4:13-17 ), or the number of his descendants (4:18-21 ).

a4:3►

bGen 15:6►

cRom 4:3-8►

d4:9-12►

e4:13-17►

f4:18-21►

g4:4-5►

h9:14-16►

‏ Romans 4:3-5

4:3 ^a Paul quotes Gen 15:6 ^b. 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 ^c), circumcision (4:9-12 ^d), the law (4:13-17 ^e), or the number of his descendants (4:18-21 ^f).
Summary for Rom 4:4-5: 4:4-5 ^g 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 ^h). (3) The conclusion is that therefore, people cannot be declared righteous before God because of their works.