Chapter Analysis
Romans 4: Justified By Faith Apart From Works
Abraham Was Justified By Faith
📖 Romans 4:1–5
¹ What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? ² If Abraham was justified by works, he would have something to boast about, but not before God. ³ Scripture says that Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. ⁴ To the one who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as something owed. ⁵ But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.
🔹 The Truth
Abraham was not justified by works before God.
Abraham believed God, and his faith was counted as righteousness.
Works would give man a reason to boast, but not before God.
Grace is not wages owed to a worker.
God justifies the ungodly through faith.
🔹 The Promise
God counts faith as righteousness to the one who believes in Him.
✅ Conclusion
Romans 4 begins by proving that justification by faith is not new. Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel, was counted righteous because he believed God, not because of works.
David Describes The Blessed Man
📖 Romans 4:6–8
⁶ David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works. ⁷ Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. ⁸ Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count sin.
🔹 The Truth
David also testified that righteousness is counted apart from works.
The blessed person is the one whose sins are forgiven.
God covers lawless deeds and does not count sin against the forgiven person.
Forgiveness is an act of God’s mercy and grace.
🔹 The Promise
God forgives sin and does not count it against the one He makes righteous by faith.
✅ Conclusion
David’s words show the blessing of forgiveness. Justification is not God ignoring sin; it is God forgiving sin and counting righteousness apart from works.
Righteousness Before Circumcision
📖 Romans 4:9–12
⁹ Is this blessing only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? Paul says that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. ¹⁰ How then was it counted? Was it after Abraham was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before circumcision. ¹¹ Abraham received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of faith which he had while still uncircumcised. This made him the father of all who believe, even if they are uncircumcised, so that righteousness might be counted to them also. ¹² He is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but also walk in the steps of the faith Abraham had before he was circumcised.
🔹 The Truth
Abraham was counted righteous before he was circumcised.
Circumcision was a sign and seal, not the cause of his righteousness.
Abraham is the father of all who believe.
Righteousness is counted to both Jews and Gentiles through faith.
True connection to Abraham is by walking in the faith he had.
🔹 The Promise
All who believe, whether Jew or Gentile, may be counted righteous by faith.
✅ Conclusion
Paul shows that Abraham’s righteousness came before circumcision. This proves that justification is not limited to outward religious signs, but is given through faith.
The Promise Comes Through Faith
📖 Romans 4:13–17
¹³ The promise that Abraham would be heir of the world did not come through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. ¹⁴ If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise is made void. ¹⁵ The law brings wrath, because where there is no law, there is no transgression. ¹⁶ Therefore the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace and made sure to all the seed, not only to those of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. ¹⁷ As it is written, God made Abraham a father of many nations. Abraham believed God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.
🔹 The Truth
The promise to Abraham did not come through the law.
If inheritance came through the law, faith would be empty and the promise would be void.
The law exposes sin and brings wrath.
The promise is by faith so that it may be according to grace.
Abraham believed the God who gives life to the dead.
🔹 The Promise
God’s promise is made sure to all who share the faith of Abraham.
✅ Conclusion
The promise rests on grace, not law. Because it comes through faith, it is made sure to all who believe, both Jew and Gentile.
Abraham Believed Against Hope
📖 Romans 4:18–22
¹⁸ Abraham believed in hope against hope, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what God had spoken: “So shall your descendants be.” ¹⁹ He was not weak in faith, even though he considered his own body as good as dead, being about one hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. ²⁰ He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. ²¹ He was fully convinced that what God had promised, He was also able to perform. ²² Therefore, his faith was counted to him as righteousness.
🔹 The Truth
Abraham believed God even when circumstances seemed impossible.
Faith does not deny human weakness, but trusts God’s power.
Abraham gave glory to God by believing His promise.
He was fully convinced that God was able to do what He promised.
His faith was counted to him as righteousness.
🔹 The Promise
God is able to perform what He has promised.
✅ Conclusion
Abraham’s faith rested on God’s character and power. He looked beyond human impossibility and trusted the God who fulfills His word.
Written Also For Us
📖 Romans 4:23–25
²³ The words that faith was counted to Abraham were not written for his sake alone, ²⁴ but also for us. Righteousness will be counted to those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. ²⁵ Jesus was delivered up because of our offenses and raised because of our justification.
🔹 The Truth
The account of Abraham was written for our instruction.
Righteousness is counted to those who believe in God who raised Jesus from the dead.
Jesus was delivered up because of our offenses.
Jesus was raised because of our justification.
The resurrection confirms the completed work of Christ.
🔹 The Promise
Those who believe in the risen Lord Jesus are counted righteous before God.
✅ Conclusion
Romans 4 ends by bringing Abraham’s faith directly to believers today. We are justified by faith in the God who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
Overall Conclusion
Romans 4 proves that justification has always been by faith, not by works.
Abraham was counted righteous before circumcision and before the law. David also spoke of the blessedness of the person whose sins are forgiven and whose righteousness is counted apart from works.
The promise comes through faith so that it may be according to grace and made sure to all who believe. Abraham trusted God’s promise, and believers today are called to believe in the God who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
Final Questions For You
- Why is it important that Abraham was justified by faith before circumcision and before the law?
- What does it mean that God counts righteousness apart from works?
- How does Romans 4 strengthen your confidence in the finished work and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
