Romans 4

Romans 4 focuses on the example of Abraham to illustrate that justification comes through faith, not works. Paul shows that righteousness is imputed to those who believe, whether Jew or Gentile. Abraham’s faith is highlighted as the model of believing in God's promises, which leads to righteousness apart from works or circumcision.

Romans 4:1 (NKJV)
1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?

Paul begins by asking what Abraham, the forefather of the Jewish people, discovered regarding justification through human effort or works. Abraham is regarded highly by the Jews for his obedience and covenant with God, but Paul is setting up an argument that even Abraham was not justified by works but by faith.

Romans 4:2-3 (NKJV)
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Paul argues that if Abraham had been justified by works, he could boast, but not in God’s presence. He then refers to Scripture (Genesis 15:6), showing that it was Abraham’s faith, not his deeds, that led to him being declared righteous. This emphasizes that righteousness comes through believing God, not through human achievement.

Romans 4:4-5 (NKJV)
4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,

Paul contrasts working for a wage with receiving a gift. If righteousness came by works, it would be owed as a debt. But the one who does not rely on works, instead trusting God who justifies the ungodly, receives righteousness as a free gift through faith. This reinforces that justification is an act of grace, not something earned.

Romans 4:6-8 (NKJV)
6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”

Paul cites David to further support the concept of justification by faith. David describes the blessing of having sins forgiven and not counted against a person. This echoes the theme of grace—God's forgiveness and covering of sin is not something that can be earned but is a blessing given to those who trust in Him.

Romans 4:9-10 (NKJV)
9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised.

Paul asks whether this blessing of righteousness is for the circumcised only or also for the uncircumcised. He recalls that Abraham was declared righteous before he was circumcised, showing that faith, not circumcision, was the basis of his righteousness. This opens the door for Gentiles to receive the same blessing by faith, without adherence to Jewish ceremonial laws.

Romans 4:11-12 (NKJV)
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also,
12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.

Circumcision was given to Abraham as a sign or seal of the righteousness he had by faith before he was circumcised. Therefore, Abraham is the father of all who believe, both Jews and Gentiles. Those who follow Abraham's example of faith, whether circumcised or not, are counted as righteous. The emphasis is on the faith that pleases God, not physical rituals.

Romans 4:13-14 (NKJV)
13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect,

Paul explains that God's promise to Abraham that he would inherit the world was based on faith, not on the law. If inheritance came by the law, then faith would have no purpose, and God's promise would be nullified. This reinforces that the promise is dependent on faith so that it might be available to all who believe.

Romans 4:15 (NKJV)
15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

The law reveals sin and results in God’s wrath because it makes people aware of their transgressions. Without the law, there is no knowledge of sin. This shows that the law's role is not to save but to expose sin, further supporting the need for faith to receive righteousness apart from the law.

Romans 4:16 (NKJV)
16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

The promise comes through faith so that it may be based on grace. This ensures that the promise is available to all, not just to those under the law (Jews), but also to all who have the faith of Abraham (Gentiles). By faith, Abraham becomes the father of all who believe, uniting all believers under one promise.

Romans 4:17 (NKJV)
17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;

Paul quotes God’s promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. Abraham’s faith was in God, who has the power to bring life from the dead and to call into existence things that do not yet exist. Abraham’s faith was anchored in the creative and life-giving power of God, which transcends human limitations.

Romans 4:18 (NKJV)
18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”

Abraham’s faith is highlighted as being against all human hope. Despite his advanced age and Sarah’s barrenness, he still believed in God's promise that he would become the father of many nations. His faith was grounded in what God had promised, even when circumstances seemed impossible. Abraham’s trust in God’s word brought the promise to fruition.

Romans 4:19-20 (NKJV)
19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a 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,

Abraham’s faith remained strong despite the physical reality of his and Sarah’s inability to have children. He didn’t focus on the deadness of his body or Sarah’s womb but was unwavering in his belief in God’s promise. His faith grew even stronger, and he gave glory to God, trusting in His ability to fulfill what He had promised, regardless of natural limitations.

Romans 4:21 (NKJV)
21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

Abraham was fully convinced that God had the power to do what He had promised. His unwavering confidence in God's ability to fulfill His word is the essence of faith. This verse underscores that true faith trusts in God's character and power, not in human circumstances.

Romans 4:22-24 (NKJV)
22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him,
24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,

The righteousness that was credited to Abraham because of his faith was not just for his sake. Paul explains that this was recorded for all believers. Just as Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness, so too, righteousness will be imputed to all who believe in God, specifically in His act of raising Jesus from the dead. Faith in God’s resurrection power brings justification.

Romans 4:25 (NKJV)
25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.

Paul concludes by focusing on Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus was delivered up to death because of our sins, taking the punishment that we deserved. He was then raised from the dead for our justification, confirming that His sacrifice was accepted by God and that through faith in Him, we are declared righteous. The resurrection is central to the believer’s justification.