Free Bible Commentary
“Romans 4:1-12”
Categories: Romans“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.’ Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: ‘BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.’
“Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, ‘FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.’ How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.”
---End of Scripture verses---
In the mind of a Jewish person, if anyone could have been justified by works of law, it would have been Abraham. But Paul points out that Abraham was justified by faith and God “credited” it to him as righteousness by His grace. This justification took place before the command to be circumcised and WELL before the Law of Moses was instituted. This truth not only breaks down Jewish resistance to the Gospel, but would also help Paul’s countrymen to realize that the blessed Gospel if for all—both Jews and Gentiles (verses 9-12).
Of course all of this must be tempered by what the Holy Spirit revealed through the mind and pen of James: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,’ and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” (James 2:21-24)
Even though it is true that we are saved by God’s grace and not by works of law, obedience to God’s commandments is absolutely required if we want to acquire God’s justification by His saving grace. James does not contradict what Paul wrote in Romans chapter 4. He just balances the ledger of faith by showing the other side of the equation. God has done His part in securing the salvation of the people He created. But we must do our part as well. Our part of the equation is to believe in Jesus, and have faith in the Father, and obey His commandments revealed by the Holy Spirit. We do this with the understanding that Christ has become “to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9).
Even when we have done all that is required of us, we are still “unprofitable servants” (Luke 17:10), and are saved by God’s grace and not our own works, and have no room for boasting (verse 2). If we want to be justified, or “right” in God’s sight, we must have the kind of faith that “father” Abraham had—A faith that believed God’s word and obeyed His directives.
Please read Romans 4:13-25 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
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