The study of the Book of Romans chapter 4
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we study the Book of Romans chapter 4.
4:1 Abraham is a classic example of the principle of justification by faith. In this chapter Paul uses Abraham’s experience as evidence that this is not a new principle, but the same one God has always used in justifying the ungodly. Abraham our Father: Abraham is important for two reasons: He is the acknowledge father of the Jewish nation, and God justified him before the law as ever given.
4:4 Worketh…debt: Wages received are not a manifestation of grace; they are earned.
Works remove grace from salvation. Justification is by faith alone.
4:5 Faith is counted for righteousness: Faith is not w a work performed to earn righteousness. Rather, it is the means through which God can impute the righteousness of Jesus Christ to the sinner. He is thus “accounted” righteous, not “made” righteous. The former is the work of justification. The latter is the process of sanctification. See chapters 6-8.
4:6-8 David: The appeal to David, the second most esteemed man in the history of Israel, shows that the giving of the law subsequent to Abraham does not abrogate the principle of justification by faith. It is still in force.
4:9-12 This blessedness is a reference to the twofold blessedness of having God’s righteousness imputed (v. 7) and of not having sins imputed (v.8). Circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision: Paul anticipates the argument that circumcision, not faith, brought about Abraham’s justification. Again, Abraham establishes Paul’s point in that he was justified 24 years before he was circumcised. The sign of Circumcision: Circumcision is a sign (a testimony) or a seal. It has no value in itself, but represents the value another places on the thing sealed. Circumcision represented the value that Abraham placed on the promises of God and which he demonstrated by taking this “sign” in his flesh. Abraham as not justified because he was circumcised; he was circumcised as a testimony to the fact that he was justified.
4:13 The promise: Many Jews thought that the privileges they enjoyed came from their adherence to the Mosaic Law. This is false. The promises were given to Abraham 430 years before the law was given; hence the law does not annul the Abrahamic covenant. It was merely added alongside until Christ should come to fulfill it (cf. Gal. 3:17-19).
4:13 Heir of the world: This promise is not stated directly but is drawn from Genesis 12:3. Paul understands this as being fulfilled in Jesus Christ (cf Gal. 3) The Messiah would rule more than the geographical area promised to Abraham (Gen. 15:18-21). Hence, both the law and the promise have their ultimate focus and fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
4:16 Father of us all: Only those who have the faith of Abraham are the spiritual seed of Abraham, whether Jew or Gentile.
4:17-22 There are five essential characteristics of faith. (1) Faith must have a valid constant. Paul quotes Genesis 17:5: the content of Abraham’s faith was valid because that content was the revelation of God (v. 17a). (2) Faith must have a valid object. The object of Abraham’s faith was God, the giver of the revelation (v. 17b). (3) Faith is contrary to hope and yet rests upon hope. This is a hope in which there is no element of uncertainty (v 18a). (4) Faith has a purpose. The purpose of Abraham’s faith was that he might become the father of many nations, realizing the promises given him the Abrahamic covenant (cf. Gen 12:1-3; v. 18b). (5) Faith produces works. Abraham’s faith conditioned the way he lived. He staggered not at (did not doubt) god’s promises.
4:23-25. But for us also: The principle of justification valid for Abraham is valid for all believers. Raised again for our justification: Because Jesus was raised from the dead we know that His sacrifice on Calvary was accepted in God’s sight and Jesus’ righteousness is available for all.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
