The Epistles · Chapter 4 of 16

Romans 4

Paul proves that righteousness has always come by faith, not works, by pointing to Abraham. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness before he was circumcised, so he is father of all who believe. Paul adds David's witness to forgiveness apart from works. Abraham hoped against hope in God's promise, and the same crediting belongs to those who trust the God who raised Jesus.

What happens in Romans 4

Paul asks what Abraham found and answers from Scripture: Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. He contrasts wages earned by work with the gift given to the one who does not work but trusts the God who justifies the ungodly. David is brought in to describe the blessedness of forgiveness apart from works. Paul then argues chronology matters: Abraham was credited righteous while still uncircumcised, making him the father of all who believe, circumcised or not.

The promise to inherit the world came through the righteousness of faith, not through law, so that it might rest on grace and be sure to all his offspring. Abraham, against hope, believed in hope, not weakening at his own aged body or Sarah's barrenness, but growing strong in faith and giving glory to God. This was written for us also, who believe in the God who raised Jesus, delivered for our sins and raised for our justification.

Romans 4 in context

Having declared in chapter three that righteousness comes by faith in Christ apart from the law, Paul anticipates the Jewish objection that this abandons the heritage of Abraham. Chapter four answers by showing that Abraham himself, the father of the nation and the man circumcised, was justified by faith before any work or sign.

Paul reads Genesis fifteen and Psalm thirty-two as his proof.

Main themes of Romans 4

Romans 4 (KJV)

1What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 9Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: 20He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Verses to carry from Romans 4

“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”Romans 4:3

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”Romans 4:5

“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”Romans 4:25

Reflection

Faith is often pictured as certainty about our feelings, but Abraham's faith was confidence in God against every visible reason for doubt. Where are you tempted to weaken because circumstances seem dead and closed? This chapter invites you to give glory to God by trusting His promise before you see it performed.

A prayer from Romans 4