Romans4

Romans 4 establishes that Abraham was justified by faith, not by works, a principle affirmed by scripture. His faith was counted for righteousness before he was circumcised, making him the father of all who believe, whether circumcised or uncircumcised. The chapter concludes by linking this imputation of righteousness to believers in God who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead for our justification.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Abraham Justified by Faith, Not Works

1
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, hath found according to the flesh? ​
2
For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God.
3
For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. ​
4
Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt.
5
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness. ​
6
Even as David also pronounceth blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works,
7
saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered. ​
8
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin.

Faith Precedes Circumcision

9
Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness. ​
10
How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision: ​
11
and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them; ​
12
and the father of circumcision to them who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which he had in uncircumcision.

The Promise Is Through Faith, Not Law

13
For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith. ​
14
For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect:
15
for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression. ​
16
For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace; to the end that the promise may 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 ​
17
(as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, even God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were. ​

The Example of Abraham's Faith

18
Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be. ​
19
And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb;
20
yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God,
21
and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22
Wherefore also it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. ​

Application to All Believers

23
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him; ​
24
but for our sake also, unto whom it shall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, ​
25
who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification. ​

Study Notes for Romans 4

Verse 1

Paul anticipates the objection that Abraham earned his status, immediately refuting the idea that works could justify him before God.

Verse 3

This citation from Genesis 15:6 is the linchpin of Paul’s argument: belief/faith (trusting God’s promise) is the sole mechanism for receiving righteousness.

Verse 5

Righteousness is given to the 'ungodly' (those incapable of fulfilling the law), demonstrating that justification is a gift of grace, not a deserved wage or debt.

Verse 7

Paul uses Psalm 32 to show that David also understood blessedness as involving the removal (forgiveness and covering) of sin, independent of meritorious works.

Verse 9

Paul addresses the Jewish claim that righteousness belongs only to the circumcised, using Abraham's timeline to refute this restriction.

Verse 10

This chronological detail is crucial: Abraham was declared righteous in Genesis 15 (uncircumcised) and received circumcision in Genesis 17. Faith came first.

Verse 11

Circumcision served as a 'seal'—an outward sign confirming the prior, inward reality of righteousness received through faith, making Abraham the father of all believers (Jew and Gentile).

Verse 13

The promise that Abraham would inherit the world refers to the universal scope of the gospel and demonstrates that the covenant was based on faith, existing centuries before the Mosaic Law.

Verse 15

The Law defines transgression, meaning it exposes sin and leads to condemnation ('wrath'). Since the Law cannot eliminate sin, it cannot provide a path to righteousness.

Verse 16

God established the promise on faith so that it would be guaranteed by grace, extending securely to all who share Abraham’s faith, regardless of ethnicity or legal status.

Verse 17

Paul emphasizes that Abraham’s faith was directed toward God, who possesses the power of resurrection ('quickeneth the dead') and creation ex nihilo ('calling things which be not').

Verse 18

Abraham’s faith was characterized by 'hope against hope,' demonstrating a profound trust in God’s promise even when natural circumstances made fulfillment humanly impossible.

Verse 22

This verse repeats the conclusion of Genesis 15:6, summarizing the principle that faith, not merit, resulted in God imputing righteousness.

Verse 23

Paul asserts that the Abrahamic account was preserved not merely as history but as a pattern for how God justifies all people.

Verse 24

The object of our justifying faith is defined: belief in the sovereign God who demonstrated his saving power by raising Jesus our Lord from the dead.

Verse 25

This verse succinctly summarizes the theological purpose of Christ's work: His death deals with our guilt ('offences'), and His resurrection validates and secures our status of righteousness ('justification').

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options