Lesson 10 – Romans Chapter 4

At the end of chapter 3 Paul taught us about being justified by faith. At the end of chapter 4 we will see it’s Jesus’ resurrection that brought us justification.

Rom. 3:28
“For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”

If some Jews were reading Paul’s letter, at this point they might ask, “this being justified by faith… how exactly does this play into our history?” And Paul might say, “Glad you asked, let me remind you about Abraham.”

The Jews lived by the Law, it was all they knew. For them to question as to why not continue with the Law is understandable. Remember, the Law was in place to show us our need for a Savior, and therefore drive a person to God’s grace.

Rom. 4:1
“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?”

“Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God?” (NLT)

“According to the flesh” means “according to his own labors.”

Was Abraham justified before God by his works?

Rom. 4:2
“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God.”

The majority of the Jews in Paul’s day believed that Abraham was made right with God because of his own righteous character. Going back to (3:24) “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus,” this fly’s in the face of “working for you justification.”

If Abraham did anything on his own, just so God could call him righteous, then it wouldn’t be a gift from God, and Abraham could brag about his efforts. This is not the way of God’s salvation!

Rom. 4:3
“For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Paul is quoting from Gen. 15:6, which says nothing about Abraham doing any kind of deeds or works. The Jews really needed to hear this, because over the hundreds of years, their knowledge about Abraham had become distorted.

Some rabbis would quote Gen. 26:5 “Because Abraham obeyed Me and fulfilled his duty to Me, and kept My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

If you casually read this scripture, it would be easy to see how the Jews would think that Abraham was declared righteous because he obeyed God’s commands.

But at this point, God had not yet given the Mosaic Law, meaning that Abraham was not under the Law. The important thing to note here is, that when God told Abraham to do something, he did it… he believed God and he acted on it. By doing this, Abraham showed that he had faith in God, that God was real, and that he would obey whatever God told him to do. In this way Abraham obeyed all of God’s commands.

Rom. 4:4
“Now to the one who works, the wages are not credited as a favor, but as what is due.”

When people work for something, their wages are not a gift, it’s something they have earned. Payment is expected for their work.

Rom. 4:5
“But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,”

“But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.” (NLT)

We know that when we work for something, we expect some kind of return for our labor, we do it all the time.

Now Paul is looking at this from a spiritual perspective, referring to those who believe that it is God who justifies us. And it’s not that we’ve done anything for it, we believe God by faith… therefore, this is counted to us as righteousness.

God is saying to those who believe: “Because you’re not trying to earn My favor or My blessing, that you’re just believing in who I am, as the justifier of the ungodly, I thus pronounce you righteous.”

Rom. 4:6-8
“Just as David also speaks of the blessing of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
“BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED.
“BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.”

The blessing David is talking about is God’s salvation, it’s the greatest blessing a person can ever receive.

Paul quotes Psalm 32 from David. “Blessed” (eh’-sher) means happy.
“Happy” is the man who has put his trust in God, knowing that his sins have been forgiven… the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.

God doesn’t credit iniquity or sins to the person who is believing and trusting in Jesus Christ. What a beautiful position that is, where God is no longer holding my sins against me, because of my faith in Jesus.

Rom. 4:9
“Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles? Well, we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith. (NLT)

Paul brings in the question, “Is this righteousness that comes by faith, is this for everyone?” Paul also uses the words circumcised, and uncircumcised once again. The funny thing about this is, the great father Abraham, the one Jews hold in such high esteem, he was not circumcised when God declared him righteous, which we will see.

Rom. 4:10
“How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised;”

Paul says it plainly, when Abraham was declared by God as being righteous, he had not been circumcised yet.

In fact, Abraham wasn’t even a Jew when God called on him. The real point coming out of what Paul has been talking about is, that the Jews had been “hanging their hat” you might say, on the fact that they were the “circumcised ones.” I believe along with that, there was a lot of pride involved as well, and we all know what God thinks about pride.

Rom. 4:11
“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them,”

“Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith.” (NLT)

Paul is saying that Abraham is the father not only of the circumcised Jew, but also of the uncircumcised Gentile, because Abraham was pronounced righteous even before he was circumcised. I imagine this would make many Jews very upset, after all, the Jews considered Gentiles nothing more than dogs.

Circumcision had nothing to do with Abraham’s justification. Then we ask, why was circumcision given?

It was a sign and a seal. As a sign, it was evidence that Abraham belonged to God and believed in His promise. As a seal, it was a reminder to Abraham that God had given the promise and He would keep that promise.

For the believer a seal is given as well.

Eph. 1:13
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,”

There is no physical sign for a believer in Jesus Christ, except for the circumcision of the “heart.” Perhaps baptism can be seen as an outward sign, showing a person’s belief in Jesus.

“The father of all who believe”

Abraham is the spiritual father of all who believe and have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, this applies to the Jew and Gentile alike.

Rom. 4:12
“And the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.”

“Steps of the faith of our father Abraham”

I see this as a saving faith… and ultimately faith in Jesus.

Rom. 4:13
“For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.”

“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.” (NLT)

The promise to Abraham and his descendants was for a future and a hope that would come. It would come in the form of land, people, and a Savior.

John 8:56
“Your father Abraham was overjoyed that he would see My day, and he saw it and rejoiced.”

In a way that is not revealed to us in the Bible, Abraham anticipated the coming of Jesus, that Jesus would be one of his descendants.

None of this could have happened through the “law.” Man has never been able to come to God by means of any outward efforts… if he could do that, that would turn out to be salvation by “works.” Again, the gift that God wants to give us comes to us by faith.

Rom. 4:14-15
“For if those who are of the Law are heirs, then faith is made void and the promise is nullified; for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.”

If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. For 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!) (NLT)

The law just couldn’t be kept, no matter how hard a person would try, at some point, the law would be broken.

The word “Heirs” in Messianic usage, means one who receives his allotted possession by right of sonship, we know it as an inheritance.

If men were able to keep the law perfectly, then they would be heirs of God. But for man it is impossible to keep the law, if he could keep it, then that would cancel out faith… it would be null and void.

Rom. 8:16-17
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” (NLT)

Our inheritance comes by faith.

Rom. 4:16
“For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,”

“So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.” (NLT)

“That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants.” (RSV)

Focusing on the word promise… what does it indicate? I think we can sum it up in three words; Salvation, Righteousness, and Justification. This is the promise of God, for all who believe.

John 1:12-13
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God..” (NIV)

Receiving God’s promise means placing your faith in Jesus. This is available to all who repent and call on the name of Jesus. Being available to “all” means for the Jews and Gentiles alike.

And again, all those with saving faith… Abraham is their spiritual father… but don’t get it confused with the fact that God is your real Father.

John the Baptist said; Matt. 3:9 “And do not assume that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you that God is able, from these stones, to raise up children for Abraham.”

John’s point was that, more important than their physical ancestry, was their spiritual heredity. Descent from Abraham was not a passport to heaven.

Rom. 4:17
“(as it is written: “I HAVE MADE YOU A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, that is, God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that do not exist.”

“God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that do not exist.”

This is a reference to the birth of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham’s dead body and Sarah’s dead body, means that they were well past the age of producing children. This is all about the power of God on display, there’s nothing that is impossible for God.

Rom. 8:11
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

When God wants something to be done, it is done. God wanted Abraham to be the father of many nations.

Matt. 28:18
“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”

God was known to the patriarchs as El-Shaddai, God Almighty (Exodus 6:2-3). The term Shaddai, when connected with the Hebrew word El (God) means, ‘the mighty One to nourish, satisfy and supply.

God’s omnipotence (power) reassures us, because it is through His divine power that His children know that “nothing will be impossible” to those who faithfully serve Him.

Does this take faith? Sure, it takes faith. But it is God who gives the faith that we need.

From the human perspective, Abraham and Sarah having a baby seemed impossible, but he believed.

Rom. 4:18
“In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.”

Even when there was no reason for hope Abraham believed.

Gen. 21:5
“Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.”

How many 100 year old men do you know that are about to become a new father? Or, maybe I should ask, how many men do you know that are 100? I’m thinking that men who even make it to the age of 100 aren’t even capable of having relations with their wife, let alone produce a child.

Matt. 19:26
“Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

To keep this in context, Jesus is speaking about salvation, but at the same time, God has no limitations.

Abraham believed.

Rom. 4:19-21
“Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.”

“And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.” (NLT)

As far as Abraham was concerned, he might have said something like; “God said it; I believe it, and that settles it!” This needs to be our attitude as well, trusting God in all that He says.

Psalm 119:89-90a
“Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations;”

Rom. 4:22
“Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Abraham had faith in God and he believed that God would do what He said He would do… and God declared Abraham righteous.

Rom. 4:23-24
“Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,”

This is about us having faith in God. If you are exercising the same quality of faith like Abraham did, you fall into the same category of the faith heroes we find in the book of Hebrews, chapter 11.

Heb. 11:6
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.”

What is the test for this?

Rom. 10:9
“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;”

If this describes the condition of our heart, you have the same faith that Abraham had… what a great club to be in!

Rom. 4:25
“He who was delivered over because of our wrongdoings, and was raised because of our justification.”

“He was handed over to die because of our sins, and He was raised to life to make us right with God.” (NLT)

The same power that produced life from Abraham and Sarah, is the same Almighty power that raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection brought us justification (just as if we didn’t sin, made brand new) before God, because the Resurrection proves that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

Never forget this, and never take this for granted!