In Romans Chapter 4, Paul strengthens his argument about justification by faith by using the example of Abraham, a figure highly respected by both Jews and Gentiles. He explains that Abraham was made righteous not through his works or through circumcision, but through his faith in God’s promise. This example demonstrates that righteousness has always come through faith, even before the law was given, showing that God’s plan of salvation by grace is consistent throughout Scripture.
Paul also explores the significance of righteousness being credited apart from works, emphasizing that this promise is available to all who believe, whether circumcised or not. He connects Abraham’s faith to the faith required for salvation through Jesus Christ, teaching that just as Abraham trusted God’s promise despite impossible circumstances, believers today are called to trust in God’s power to justify and save through faith in Christ’s death and resurrection. This chapter reinforces the idea that salvation is a gift received through faith, not something earned through human effort.
Chapter 4 (BBE)
1 What, then, may we say that Abraham, our father after the flesh, has got?
2 For if Abraham got righteousness by works, he has reason for pride; but not before God.
3 But what does it say in the holy Writings? And Abraham had faith in God, and it was put to his account as righteousness.
4 Now, the reward is credited to him who does works, not as of grace but as a debt.
5 But to him who without working has faith in him who gives righteousness to the evil-doer, his faith is put to his account as righteousness.
6 As David says that there is a blessing on the man to whose account God puts righteousness without works, saying,
7 Happy are those who have forgiveness for their wrongdoing, and whose sins are covered.
8 Happy is the man against whom no sin is recorded by the Lord.
9 Is this blessing, then, for the circumcision only, or in the same way for those who have not circumcision? for we say that the faith of Abraham was put to his account as righteousness.
10 How, then, was it judged? when he had circumcision, or when he had it not? Not when he had it, but when he did not have it:
11 And he was given the sign of circumcision as a witness of the faith which he had before he underwent circumcision: so that he might be the father of all those who have faith, though they have not circumcision, and so that righteousness might be put to their account;
12 And the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who keep to the way of that faith which our father Abraham had before he underwent circumcision.
13 For God’s word, that the earth would be his heritage, was given to Abraham, not through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they who are of the law are the people who get the heritage, then faith is made of no use, and the word of God has no power;
15 For the outcome of the law is wrath; but where there is no law it will not be broken.
16 For this reason it is of faith, so that it may be through grace; and so that the word of God may be certain to all the seed; not only to that which is of the law, but to that which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,
17 (As it is said in the holy Writings, I have made you a father of a number of nations) before him in whom he had faith, that is, God, who gives life to the dead, and to whom the things which are not are as if they were.
18 Who without reason for hope, in faith went on hoping, so that he became the father of a number of nations, as it had been said, So will your seed be.
19 And not being feeble in faith though his body seemed to him little better than dead (he being about a hundred years old) and Sarah was no longer able to have children:
20 Still, he did not give up faith in the undertaking of God, but was made strong by faith, giving glory to God,
21 And being certain that God was able to keep his word.
22 For which reason it was put to his account as righteousness.
23 Now, it was not because of him only that this was said,
24 But for us in addition, to whose account it will be put, if we have faith in him who made Jesus our Lord come back again from the dead,
25 Who was put to death for our evil-doing, and came to life again so that we might have righteousness.
Important Verses
Verse 3 “And Abraham had faith in God, and it was put to his account as righteousness.” This verse highlights that Abraham’s righteousness came through faith, not works.
Verse 5 Paul explains that righteousness is given to those who believe in God, even without relying on their own works.
Verse 13 This verse shows that the promise given to Abraham was based on faith, not on the law, extending God’s promise to all believers.
Verse 16 Paul emphasizes that the promise is guaranteed to all who share Abraham’s faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.
Verse 20 This verse describes Abraham’s strong faith, noting that he did not doubt God’s promise despite his circumstances.
Verse 25 Paul concludes by pointing to Jesus, who was delivered for our sins and raised for our justification, connecting Abraham’s faith to the fulfillment of salvation through Christ.
