Romans 4 — Righteousness by Faith
Introduction: Those who become justified from their sin are made righteous by God, and their sins are forgiven. Justification cannot be earned no matter how many good deeds a person may try to do to become just and righteous before God. Righteousness can only be a gift attributed to an individual because of faith in the all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ Jesus, and his resurrection from the dead. This chapter of Romans is in my own paraphrase, to some extent in an amplified style, prepared by examining several translations, and with some use of a Greek lexicon.
NOTE: Verses in the comments are from the 1769 King James Bible.
A — Justification Not by Works, but by Faith
Romans 4 “1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father found as it pertains to us as his descendents? 2 For if Abraham had been justified by things he accomplished, he would have had something by which he could claim glory, but he had nothing to present to God. 3 For what does the scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 The compensation received for work is not considered to be a gracious gift, but rather due payment for service rendered. 5 But the one who does not offer a work to God to gain approval, but believes on God who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also described the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputes righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”
Comments: If Abraham had been justified before God by works he had done, he would be able to claim some glory for himself that his descendents might somehow inherit. But Abraham had nothing to present to God — rather the scripture says Abraham believed God, and that belief was counted unto him for righteousness. Genesis 15:5–6 “So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” The Lord gives his righteousness as a gift to the ungodly person who believes in a gracious God. Paul quoted the opening verses from Psalm 32 to show that David knew works are not sufficient to bring justification because only God can forgive iniquities and cover sins. Habakkuk 2:4 “The just shall live by his faith.” John 5:24 “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
B — Faith Came Before Circumcision
Romans 4 “9 Does this blessing of God then come upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was considered and applied to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then considered: was it after he was circumcised, or before he was circumcised? It was while he was yet uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was not yet circumcised: that he might be the father of all who believe, though they are not circumcised… 12 And the father of circumcision to them who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had before he was circumcised.”
Comments: Paul wanted his readers to realize that scripture verifies that justification was not only for those who became circumcised to follow the law of the Jews, but for everyone who received justification by faith. Abraham’s faith was credited to him for righteousness before he was circumcised, and the circumcision was afterward a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was not yet circumcised. Through this, Abraham can be the father of all Jews and Gentiles who believe God’s promise, if they walk in the same faith that Abraham had even before he was circumcised.
C — Heirs Through the Righteousness of Faith
Romans 4 “13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his offspring, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith… 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the offspring; not to those only who have the law, but to those also who are of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 As it is written, I have made you a father of many nations, before him whom you believed, even God, who makes alive the dead, and calls those things which are not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall your offspring be.”
Comments: The promise that Abraham would be heir of the world was not made through the keeping of the law, but through the righteousness of faith. If righteousness could be earned by keeping the law, the promise given for faith alone would be made void. Therefore, to all people justification must be by faith, which is the sure promise made to Abraham. This promise was made after natural childbirth was no longer expected for Abraham or for Sarah. Genesis 18:13–14 “Wherefore did Sarah laugh? … Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee… and Sarah shall have a son.” God is also able to give eternal life to those who will believe in him, regardless of any circumstances that might seem to make that impossible!
D — Righteousness Imputed by Faith in the Risen Christ
Romans 4 “19 And being not weak in faith, he considered his own body not as though dead, when he was about a hundred years old, nor that Sara’s womb was dead: 20 He did not lose confidence or waver at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed and ascribed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was ascribed and imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”
Comments: Abraham and Sarah had faith even though Sarah laughed within herself when she heard she would have a child in her old age. After the promise was confirmed in Genesis 17:15–21, Abraham did not lose confidence or waver in his faith but gave glory to God, and this was imputed to him for righteousness. Though we may sometimes feel weak in our faith, we must renew our strength by patiently trusting in God’s promise. 2 Corinthians 12:9 “He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” We can be confident that we have received the imputed righteousness of Christ by faith when we place our full trust in God and believe that he raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification!
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I thank you for bringing me to the realization that I have nothing to offer to you, but that you have so very much to offer to me since I have placed my full faith in trust in your grace by Christ Jesus. Paul has helped me to further understand that justification cannot be earned in any way by my achievements regardless of their supposed magnitude. By faith without works you have imputed to me the righteousness of Christ, and I thank you for the blessing that my iniquities are forgiven, and my sins are covered. Lord, I praise you for making me an heir to your righteous kingdom by faith through grace. What a blessing to me that I became an heir with Abraham by faith, and was spared from the penalty under the law. Lord, you make alive those who were dead, and establish forever things that seem impossible to the ways of man. I believe your written Word and therefore I believe that Christ my Lord was delivered to death for my offences, and was raised from the dead for my justification. I give glory and praise to my risen Savior! Amen.
Published 12 March 2016