Romans 4

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.

The apostle Paul argues that Abraham's righteousness was not a result of his works, for if it were, he would have reason to glory, but not before God. Instead, scripture states that Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. This principle is further supported by David, who speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness without works. Paul then clarifies that this blessedness extends to both the circumcised and uncircumcised, as Abraham's faith was reckoned for righteousness while he was yet uncircumcised, with circumcision serving as a seal of that faith. The promise to Abraham, that he should be the heir of the world, was given through the righteousness of faith, not through the law, which works wrath. Therefore, the promise is of faith by grace, ensuring it is sure to all who believe, like Abraham. His unwavering faith in God's power to quicken the dead and call things that are not as though they were, serves as an example for us. This imputation of righteousness is not for Abraham's sake alone, but also for us who believe on Him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered for our offences and raised for our justification.

Romans 4 begins by posing the question of what Abraham, as pertaining to the flesh, found. Paul immediately clarifies that if Abraham were justified by works, he would have reason to glory, but not before God. Citing Genesis, he emphasizes that Abraham believed God, and this faith was counted unto him for righteousness. This sets forth the foundational principle that righteousness is not a reward for work, but a gift to him who believes on God who justifies the ungodly. David's words are then brought forth to describe the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness without works, whose iniquities are forgiven and sins covered. The chapter then addresses whether this blessedness is exclusive to the circumcised or also extends to the uncircumcised. Paul highlights that Abraham's faith was reckoned for righteousness when he was in uncircumcision, not in circumcision. Circumcision was received later as a sign, a seal of the righteousness of the faith he already possessed while uncircumcised, establishing him as the father of all who believe, regardless of their circumcision status. The promise that Abraham should be the heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness of faith, underscoring that the law, in fact, works wrath, as where there is no law, there is no transgression. Therefore, the promise is of faith, by grace, to ensure its certainty for all Abraham's spiritual seed, not just those under the law. Abraham is presented as the father of all believers, who, against hope, believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations. His faith was strong; he did not consider his own body, which was as good as dead, nor the deadness of Sarah's womb, but was fully persuaded that God was able to perform what He had promised. This unwavering faith was imputed to him for righteousness. Finally, Paul concludes that this account was not written for Abraham's sake alone, but also for us, to whom righteousness shall be imputed if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification.