Sunday School Notes - Romans 4:1-25

“Justification by Faith Evidenced in the Old Testament”

By Pastor Rich Paradis

Romans 4:1-25

As we move forward in the book of Romans, we continue the thoughts of Romans 3:27-31 by citing an Old Testament example. The fact that the example is Abraham is even more significant, in that the Jews would have considered Abraham the most influential voice in Judaism. If Paul could utilize the testimony and the life of Abraham to prove that justification was not and is not based on work, but on faith, he will have made a powerful step towards convincing the entire Roman church audience and especially the Jewish hearer.

I.                   Abraham was saved by faith, not works    Romans 4:1-8

a.       The chapter opens in Verse 1 with a question that will be repeated 6 times in the book of Romans. That question is, “what then shall we say…?” The other occurrences of this question are: Romans 6:1, 7:7, 8:31, 9:14, and 9:30. The question itself offers a clue that there is something that has just been discussed that must be considered in more detail.

b.      Again, the fact that Abraham is being utilized as the answer to the question and the proof of the point is very powerful to the audience being addressed in that he was and is the Patriarch and the influential voice of Judaism. But this section is not just an offering of proof to the Jewish believer. It is the same to all of us that believe in Christ’s death and resurrection as the source of our right standing before God.

c.       Abraham’s physical ancestry is being noted in this verse 1 distinguish it from his spiritual ancestry, which will be considered later in the chapter in verses 11-12 and 16.

d.      What lesson could Paul’s readers learn from the biblical record of Abraham’s experience? The answer to that would provide great evidence to the case that Paul is making for justification by faith alone in Christ alone.

e.       Verse 2 begins by making the case that if Abraham was justified by works, he would have something to boast about. The Jewish rabbis taught that Abraham had a surplus of merit from his works that was available to his descendants. This “surplus” was clearly something that could have been boasted of. But it could not have been boasted of before God. It would only work on the horizontal plane. Why? Because Verse 3 tells us that the Scripture says something else. Genesis 15:6 is quoted here and it clearly says that belief in God was the source of right standing before God. There is nothing at all mentioned of works in that quote.

f.       Verse 4 tells us that the wages that we receive for our work is no favor; it is what we deserve. But Verse 5 goes on to tell us that God’s grace is exhibited as we believe in God as opposed to depending on our work for our favor and right standing  before Him.

g.      Verses 6-8 offer an interested additional example that is similar in theme to the example of Abraham. It is the example of David. Both of these men are in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11, but the fact that Psalm 32 is quoted here is evidence that David needed the provision of God just as Abraham did. God graciously dealt with both of these men and needed to in that both were sinners and needed His provision of grace in their lives.

II.                Abraham was not saved based on his circumcision    Romans 4:9-12

a.       Verse 9 begins with a question. Is this blessing of right standing before God, justification, available to only the Jews (circumcised) or would it also include the Gentiles (uncircumcised)? We are back to the idea of the Jew and some special position or standing before God.

b.      But again, Paul went to the example of Abraham to make the point that circumcision is not the avenue to right standing before God, faith is. Genesis 15:6 is shared again. Verse 10 goes on to say that Abraham was in fact circumcised after he was credited with right standing before God. In fact, if we were to look at the time of Abraham’s circumcision (Genesis 17, especially verse 24) at 99 years old and compare it to the time of the crediting of righteousness to Abraham’s account (Genesis 15:6) at less than 86 years old (according to Genesis 16:16). So, it was at least 13+ years after his “crediting of righteousness that he was circumcised. Literally, the language of the Old Testament says “in circumcision” and “in uncircumcision” in Verse 10.

c.       Verse 11 tells us that Abraham’s circumcision was a “sign” or a “seal” of his being declared righteous because of his faith while he was still uncircumcised. Circumcision was an outward sign of what had already occurred in his life. An interesting note is the question of why God would choose to mark this portion of a man’s anatomy. While it is not noted in Scripture as  to why this is so, it is noteworthy to see that this portion of his body is the means by which children are conceived and also the means by which some of his most grievous sins are committed.

d.      So now, we have Verses 11-12 telling us that Abraham could be and is the father of faith to both the Gentile (the uncircumcised) and the Jew (the circumcised). He is not only the head of the physical ancestry of the Jewish nation, but he is also the head of the spiritual ancestry of all that believe and faithfully put their trust in God.

III.             Abraham was not saved by the keeping of the Law    Romans 4:13-17

a.       The Jews also considered the Mosaic Law, which was delivered to them and administered by them, to be a special word to them from God that demonstrated the special standing they had before Him.

b.      Verse 13 tells us that that the promise given to Abraham and his descendants in Genesis 12:1-3 far preceded the giving of the Law. In fact, it preceded it by over 400 years (Galatians 3:17).  Again, it was the faith of Abraham that would secure right standing and the promises to him and his descendants, not adherence to something that wouldn’t come for another 400+ years.

c.       Verses 14-15 remind us of a truth that we learned in Romans 3:20. Those who claim to have their right standing before God based on their obedience to the Law will have their dreams smashed by the fact that the Law is the mirror, not the cleansing water that cleans up the dirty person. But a reminder is offered that the place of the Law is legitimate and necessary. It is that which gives us the knowledge of sin and expresses our need for something (Someone) beyond ourselves.

d.      Verses 16-17 offer a conclusive thought to what we have been considering. “For this reason” or “therefore” tip us off to these comments. What Paul says is that there is a very close correlation between faith and grace. While the Law has the ability to demonstrate need before God, it has no power to provide the help necessary. Only the grace of God demonstrated to those who by faith believe that God’s provision in Christ is the only provision that can address the need of the sinner will do it. This provision is available to the believing Jew (those of the Law) and the Gentile (those who are of the faith of Abraham). And this conclusion is supported by Scripture by quoting Genesis 17:5 and connecting the two events of the birth of Isaac and the resurrection of Christ as we move forward in the passage.

IV.             Abraham was saved  by faith in God’s Promise    Romans 4:18-25

a.       In Verses 18-22 we see Abraham’s faith in action. Abraham believed in God and His promises of a son and descendants, even when “hope was against hope”. Both Abraham and Sarah were well beyond the ages of child-bearing and raising a family, but Abraham believed what God had said to him in Genesis 15:5.

b.      What a confidence Abraham had in the promises of God! He “in hope believed” (Vs.18); he was not weak in faith despite the odds (Vs.19); he was not divided in his thinking by unbelief (Vs.20a); he was empowered by faith (Vs.20b); and he was fully persuaded that God has the ability to do what He said He would do (Vs.21).

c.       And the result? Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness because it was true faith and complete confidence that God would do as He has promised.

d.      Verses 23-24 tell us that Abraham’s experience was not just an illustration to himself and a few around him. It was an illustration to all that believe the promises of God. Justification by faith was true for him; and it is true for us! The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the proof and the promise for us to depend on.

e.       And Verse 25 reminds us of the fact that both the death of Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead are essentials to this work of justification. These two events are what we depend on and believe in for our right standing before God. It will not be works, circumcision, or the Law, that will save us!!!

V.                An Application For All Of Us

a.       Justification is by faith:

                                                              i.      It cannot be earned by works (Vs.1-8)

                                                            ii.      Since Abraham was justified before he was circumcised, circumcision has no relationship to justification (Vs.9-12)

                                                          iii.      Since Abraham was justified centuries before the Law was given, justification is not based on the Law (Vs. 13-17)

                                                          iv.      Abraham was justified because of his faith in God and His promises, not because of his works (Vs.18-25)