Romans 4
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· 32 viewsRomans 4 delves into the concept of justification through faith, as exemplified by Abraham, arguing that faith in God's promises—ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ—is the basis for righteousness.
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Context
Romans 4 stands as a pivotal chapter in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome, a document aimed at elucidating the grand narrative of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Within the larger framework of Romans, this chapter serves to exemplify the doctrine of justification by faith alone, apart from works of the Law. Paul appeals to the life of Abraham, considered the forefather of the Israelites, to demonstrate that even he was justified by faith before the giving of the Law. This argument bolsters Paul's overarching message that both Jews and Gentiles are equally in need of God’s grace, which is freely available through faith in Jesus Christ. By invoking Abraham’s faith, Paul bridges the Old and New Covenants, illustrating the unchanging nature of God's plan for human redemption.
Overview
The Example of Abraham's Faith (Romans 4:1-8)
This section focuses on Abraham as the prime example of someone who was justified by faith, not by works. Paul quotes Genesis 15:6, which states that Abraham "believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." He argues that if Abraham was justified by works, he would have something to boast about, but not before God. Paul then introduces King David's words from the Psalms as additional support for the doctrine of justification by faith.
The Promise Received Through Faith, Not Law (Romans 4:9-12)
Paul continues his argument by asking whether the blessedness of being credited righteous comes only upon the circumcised or also upon the uncircumcised. He makes clear that Abraham was considered righteous through faith before he was circumcised. Circumcision is thus seen as a "seal" of the righteousness he had by faith, making Abraham the father of all who believe, irrespective of whether they are circumcised.
Abraham as the Father of Many Nations (Romans 4:13-17)
In this segment, Paul discusses the promise made to Abraham that he would be the heir of the world. This promise, Paul argues, was not given through the Law but through the "righteousness of faith." Because Abraham believed God's promises, he became the father of many nations. Paul indicates that the promise is open to everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, who share Abraham's faith.
Abraham's Faith Against Hope (Romans 4:18-22)
This part examines the nature of Abraham's faith. Despite being nearly 100 years old and his wife Sarah being barren, Abraham had faith that God would fulfill His promise to make him the father of many nations. His faith did not waver even when faced with seemingly impossible circumstances. Because of this, "it was credited to him as righteousness."
Justification Applied to Us (Romans 4:23-25)
The final section connects the example of Abraham back to the believers in Jesus Christ. Paul asserts that the words "it was credited to him" were not only for Abraham but also for us who believe in Jesus, who was raised from the dead. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we too are justified, just as Abraham was, if we place our faith in Him.
Main Idea
The main idea of Romans 4 is that justification before God is attained through faith alone, as exemplified by Abraham, thereby establishing that the promise of righteousness and salvation is available to all—both Jews and Gentiles—through faith in Jesus Christ.
Proposition
You Must Trust God's Promises
The conclusion to draw from Romans 4 is the imperative to trust in God's promises, just as Abraham did. The text emphasizes that Abraham was justified because he "believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness" (Romans 4:3). His faith was not in his own abilities, circumstances, or rituals, but in the promises of God. This trust in God's promises was the basis for his righteousness, making him the father of all who similarly place their faith in God (Romans 4:11-12). Thus, the central action that a believer should take as a result of understanding Romans 4 is to emulate Abraham by placing unwavering trust in the promises of God, particularly the promise of justification and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
There are several reasons you must trust God’s promises.
Because Trust Justifies (Romans 4:1-8)
In this section, Paul argues that it is trust in God, rather than works, that justifies a person before God. The word "credited" is central to this section and is translated from the Greek word "λογίζομαι" (logizomai). It means to reckon, count, or consider. In Romans 4:3, the same word is used when citing Genesis 15:6, where Abraham "believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." The word appears again in Romans 4:4, "Now to the one who works, wages are not credited (λογίζομαι) as a gift but as an obligation." The usage shows a clear contrast between works and faith. The best example of this word is found in Romans 8:18, where Paul says, "I consider (λογίζομαι) that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Here, the word illustrates the attitude of weighing or assessing, showing that in matters of faith, the ledger of God considers faith as righteousness, not works.
Because Faith Precedes Ritual (Romans 4:9-12)
Paul states that Abraham's righteousness by faith came before the ritual of circumcision. Here, the original Greek word "σφραγίς" (sphragis) for "seal" is significant. It refers to a mark or a stamp, often as a form of authentication. The same word is used in Ephesians 1:13, where believers are "sealed" with the Holy Spirit, and in Revelation 7:3, where the servants of God are sealed on their foreheads. The best example is Ephesians 1:13, which says, "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit." Just as the Holy Spirit seals believers in the New Testament, circumcision served as a seal for Abraham, authenticating a faith that already existed.
Because Promise Exceeds Law (Romans 4:13-17)
The emphasis here is on the promise made to Abraham that he would be the heir of the world, a promise given apart from the Law. The Greek word "ἐπαγγελία" (epangelia), meaning promise, is central to this passage. The word also appears in Galatians 3:16-18, where it contrasts the promise with the Law, and in Ephesians 2:12, indicating the hopelessness of those without the promise. The most illuminating usage is Galatians 3:18, where Paul states, "For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise." The text clearly indicates that the promise is greater than the Law, and it is through this promise that believers are called to place their trust.
Because Trust Overcomes Doubt (Romans 4:18-22)
The point here is that Abraham's faith did not waver despite impossible circumstances. The Greek word "διακρίνω" (diakrinō) used in Romans 4:20, meaning to doubt or waver, is noteworthy. The same word is used in James 1:6, "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt (διακρίνω)," and in Acts 10:20, "So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate (διακρίνω) to go with them." The most compelling usage is in James 1:6, emphasizing the importance of unwavering faith when asking God. This instructs believers to trust in God's promises even when facing doubt or difficult circumstances.
Because Justification Extends to Us (Romans 4:23-25)
Paul makes it clear that the principle of justification through faith applies not just to Abraham but to all who believe in Jesus Christ. The Greek word "ἀνίστημι" (anistēmi), meaning to raise or to stand up, is used to refer to Christ's resurrection in Romans 4:24. It is the same word used in Luke 24:7, "The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again," and in Acts 2:24, "But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death." The most compelling example is Acts 2:24, which celebrates the resurrection as a victorious act of God that conquers death. This invites believers to place their trust in the promise of justification and eternal life through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.
Pointing to Christ
The themes of Romans 4 find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the object of the faith that justifies believers. Each theme unpacked in Romans 4 serves to point towards Christ's fulfillment of them.
Justification Through Faith, Not Works: Romans 4 opens by discussing Abraham's justification through faith. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is revealed as the means through which this justification is made available to all. His perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection serve as the basis on which believers are justified. Unlike the works of the Law, which cannot justify anyone, the work of Christ is sufficient for the justification of all who place their faith in Him.
The Primacy of Faith Over Rituals: Paul makes it clear that Abraham was justified before the ritual of circumcision. In Christ, the outward religious rituals are superseded by a transformative relationship through faith. Christ's sacrifice tore the veil in the Temple, signifying that faith in Him is the way to God, not religious rituals.
The Promise Greater Than the Law: Abraham received a promise that he would be heir to the world, and this promise was not based on the Law. In Christ, the promises of God find their "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20). Jesus Himself said that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). Therefore, the promise made to Abraham finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who offers eternal life and inheritance to those who believe in Him.
Faith Against All Odds: Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness even when the promise seemed impossible. In the same way, Christ calls believers to have faith in the impossible—that through His death and resurrection, they too can have eternal life. Jesus embodies this faith against all odds through His resurrection, displaying that God's promises transcend human limitations.
Universal Justification Through Faith: Paul concludes Romans 4 by extending the principle of justification through faith to all who believe in Jesus, who was raised from the dead. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has made this justification available to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike, who place their faith in Him. Christ, therefore, is the linchpin that turns the principle into a reality for all people.
In summary, Romans 4 is not just a theological treatise on justification through faith but is a powerful proclamation of how these themes are ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Through Christ, the righteousness that was credited to Abraham is available to all. Therefore, the call is to place unwavering trust in the promises of God as fulfilled in the face of Christ.
Invitation
In Romans 4, the Apostle Paul makes a compelling case that just as Abraham was justified by faith, so too can you be declared righteous before God, not through your own efforts or deeds, but by placing your faith in Jesus Christ. The promise you are invited to believe is profound: that by relying on Jesus Christ's death and resurrection for your sins, God will declare you righteous. This is not just a theological concept; it's a life-changing reality.
The death of Christ on the cross satisfied God's righteous judgment against your sin, and His resurrection offers you victory over sin's power in your daily life. Not only are you saved from eternal damnation, but you are also empowered to live a new life here and now. Moreover, the hope of eternal life is yours to claim.
Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all that Romans 4 discusses. Through Him, you can be justified—declared righteous in God's sight—just like Abraham was. But it requires an act of faith, a conscious decision to rely not on yourself but solely on Christ's finished work on the cross and His victorious resurrection from the dead.
Today, you can make that choice. Turn to Jesus Christ in faith, believing that His death and resurrection are sufficient for your salvation, and you will be justified—declared righteous before God. It's a promise that changes not just your eternal destiny, but your present life. It's a promise rooted in God's unchanging character and fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Trust Him today for your salvation.
"Faith, Justification, and the Fulfillment of God's Promises: A Comprehensive Study of Romans 4." ChatGPT and User Conversation. OpenAI, 2023.
Keywords
Faith Justification Abraham Promise Righteousness
Description
Romans 4 delves into the concept of justification through faith, as exemplified by Abraham, arguing that faith in God's promises—ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ—is the basis for righteousness.