Off the Shelf Sunday School--Romans

Old Testament Examples of Justification by Faith (4:1-12)

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited to him as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works. “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” Is this blessedness only for the uncircumcised, or also for the circumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.     

1.    Paul uses the example of Abraham to show that the Old and New Testament teachings, both agree that faith alone is the basis of righteousness with God. Abraham was given righteousness because of his faith and not because of works. This is a gift given by God and not an obligation given because of good works. What does it mean to have righteousness with God?

2.    The willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac was a result of his faith. Good works are the proof of being righteous with God and not the means to attain it. (Jas 2: 20-24)

3.    Paul also quotes David who said that those whose sins are forgiven are blessed by God. The act of blessing is by the will of God alone. Those blessed receive it and can do nothing to earn it. The result of being blessed is a state of holiness or blessedness.

4.    Paul uses the example of Abraham to show that this blessing is for both Gentiles and Jews. Abraham was blessed before he was circumcised. Therefore, circumcision is an act of obedience that showed he had faith and not part of attaining it.