“I am delighted to find that sin stings you, and that you hate it. The more hatred of sin the better. A sin-hating soul is a God-loving soul. If sin never distresses you, then God has never favored you.” (Charles Spurgeon)

ABRAHAM OUR EXAMPLE OF FAITH - ROMANS 4

 

The Example of Abraham

4:1-12

Having asserted that both Jews and Gentiles are sinners and only justified by faith, not works, Paul again provides an Old Testament example. He picked the ultimate example: Abraham. He is the ultimate example because he is the father of the Jewish race. They consider themselves Abraham’s children. Matthew, whose gospel seems to be directed toward the Jews, begins with the genealogy of Jesus, beginning with Abraham. (Matthew 1:1)

So, Paul rhetorically raised the question: was Abraham justified by faith or works? For the answer, Paul quoted scripture: “Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness”. That is from Genesis 15:6.

In Genesis 15, God made a covenant with Abraham (then called Abram). Abraham had just defeated several kings and rescued Lot and his family. He refused to take any reward from the kings he assisted, though it would likely have gained him many riches.

In response, God promised him great reward and many descendants. Abraham asked God how he could know this would happen. God “cut a covenant with him, causing a flame and smoke, representing his presence, to pass between rows of cut up animals. That would symbolize swearing on one’s life to uphold the covenant. Later, as a sign of the covenant, God required that Abraham and all of his male descendants be circumcised when they were 8 days old. 

That is the context for Paul’s argument. 

First, Paul asserts that wages are given as what is due to one who works. (4) But, the one who does not rely on his or her works, but believes God (him who justifies the ungodly), has his faith counted as righteousness by God. That means God justifies the one who believes.

Paul also quoted David’s Psalm 32 as support. (6-8) David said a man is blessed if God does not count his sin against him. He was describing justification. If your sin is not counted against you. You are justified. 

The second question Paul raised is: “Who gets this blessing David declares? Is it for Jews only (the circumcised), or also for Gentiles? (the uncircumcised)” (9) The Jews maintained that Abraham was only the father of the Jews, not the Gentiles. 

Paul again referred to Abraham’s example to answer the question. Was Abraham justified before or after circumcision? The answer, of course, is that it was before he was circumcised.

Circumcision was the sign and seal of his justification. (11) Since Abraham was justified before circumcision. He is that father of all who believe, not just the Jews. He is the father of believing Gentiles. He is the father of believing Jews. 

This comports with God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 22:18, “in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed”. Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise. Through Jesus salvation is offered to all, not just the Jews. That is also the basis for the “Great Commission” in Matthew 28:20 to “make disciples of all nations”. 

The result is that all who believe are the children of Abraham. This is the another hint that Paul will maintain that those who believe in Christ are the true Israel because they are in Christ, who is the true Israel. 

Faith And Fulfillment

4:13-17

Here Paul continues to develop his argument for faith over works in the example of Abraham. The Jews of Paul’s time held that Abraham was justified by works because he obeyed the law in anticipation of its coming. 

But, Paul shows that the promise God made to Abraham that he and his descendants  was based on faith, not law. If it had been based on law, the promise would be voided because no one, including Abraham, could keep the law. Transgressions of the law only bring the wrath of God. But a promise based on faith does not count transgressions because the believer, such as Abraham, is justified by faith (there is no transgression). 

Notice here that there is no specific promise in Genesis that Abraham would be the “heir of the world”. However, this might be another way of saying that Abraham would be the father of many nations. (13)

A second reason for the promise to be based on faith is that it rests on God’s grace. Thus the result of the promise is guaranteed. It rests on the grace of a faithful God, not on the works of a sinful man. (16)

Since the promise to Abraham to be the father of many nations is based on grace and not law, another result is that Abraham becomes the father of all who believe, not just the Jewish nation.

The Character of Abraham’s Faith

4:18-22

Abraham’s faith was in God’s faithfulness. It was not based on his circumstances, which would not lead to hope. He was too old to father children. Paul says he was as good as dead at about 100 years old. Sarah was also old (99) and had been unable to have children her whole life. Yet he believed that God was able to do what he promised. (21) He grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God. And God counted it to him as righteousness; he justified Abraham.

It Is The Same For Us

4:23-25

It is the same for us. When we believe, God counts us as righteous. Jesus, the Son of God, died for our sins\trespasses. The Father vindicated him and accepted his sacrifice for us, providing for our justification.