Romans 4:1-8

Text

Romans 4:1-8. What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, hath found according to the flesh? Romans 4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God. Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt. Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness. Romans 4:6 Even as David also pronounceth blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works, Romans 4:7 saying,

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered.

Romans 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin.

74.

If man is justified by faith and not by law, to what conclusion does this lead us?

75.

How does the gospel establish the law?

REALIZING ROMANS, Romans 4:1-8

134.

Why does Paul introduce Abraham?

135.

According to the flesh in Romans 4:1 means what to you?

136.

I thought James said Abraham was justified by works (James 2:21-24). Here Paul says he was not. Reconcile the difference.

137.

Both James and Paul refer to the Old Testament statement, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. What did he believei.e., about or from God? Give the circumstance of this statement.

138.

How could a man be righteous if he did not keep the law of God?

139.

What argument in favor of justification by faith is advanced in Romans 4:4?

140.

In what sense are we to understand the phrase worketh not in Romans 4:5 a?

141.

Why call David in to testify on this subject?

142.

Tell the meaning of the world blessed as in Romans 4:7 a. How would David be especially acquainted with such blessedness?

Paraphrase

Romans 4:1-8. Ye Jews think ritual services meritorious, because they are performed purely from piety. But what do we say Abraham our father obtained by works pertaining to the flesh? That he obtained justification meritoriously? No.

Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified meritoriously by works of any kind, he might boast that his justification is of no favor, but a debt due to him: But such a ground of boasting he hath not before God.

Romans 4:3 For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, when he promised that his seed should be as numerous as the stars, and his belief of that promise was counted to him for righteousness.

Romans 4:4 Now it is evident, that to one who, for a stipulated hire, worketh all that he binds himself to work, the reward is never counted as a favor, but is paid as a debt.

Romans 4:5 But to one who does not work all that he is bound to do, but implicitly believeth the promise of him who gratuitously justifies the sinner, his faith is counted to him for righteousness as a favor. (The words, as a favor, are supplied from Romans 4:4.)

Romans 4:6 In like manner also, David (Psalms 32:1.) declareth that man blessed, as Abraham was, to whom God counteth righteousness without his having performed works of law perfectly:

Romans 4:7 Not saying, Blessed are they who obey the law of God perfectly: That he knew to be impossible: But saying, Blessed are they whose omissions are forgiven, and whose commissions are covered by an atonement.

Romans 4:8 And, deeply affected with the goodness of God in pardoning sin, he says a second time, Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not count sin.

Summary

Abraham was not justified by deeds. If so, he had ground to boast that he merited justification. On the contrary, his belief was counted to him for justification. Justification by deeds is like a debt, but justification by belief is matter of favor. David describes justification to be the same as the forgiveness of sins.

Comment

Realizing the fact that this thought of justification through faith apart from meritorious works would be somewhat of a shock, the inspired writer now hastens to point out that the principle of justification by faith is not new, for the great father of the faithful was so justified. That Abraham was justified was admitted by all. Now the apostle poses the question: How did this justification take place? You say by law; I say by faith. Let us look into the case. What did Abraham obtain through the works of the flesh? If he had fulfilled to the letter all the demands of God he would have been justified by works and would then have had reason to glory. However he did not so perform his obedience. This being true, he has no reason for self glory. Do you remember what the Scripture says about this matter? It says, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. So you can see that the faith Abraham exercised in God provided the ground for his justification, not his imperfect works. It is easy to see then that the justification granted Abraham was given because of the favor, or grace of God, through the belief of father Abraham. Romans 4:1-3.

76.

Was there any question as to whether Abraham was justified or not? If not, why not?

Just think a moment. When a man works and does all the employer asked him to do, his pay is not given because of the grace of the employer, but rather because of the merit of the employee. You have seen that Abraham was counted righteous only because of God's grace received by faith; so then your idea that he worked, and through his work, earned justification is out because it excludes the element of grace. Here is the thought:to the man who has not fulfilled all the demands of law, but yet has a great faith in the one who can justify the ungodly, justification is made possible through his belief. It is even as David has said concerning that happy man to whom the Lord granted justification apart from works. Hear him: Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin. Romans 4:4-8 cp. Psalms 32:1-2 a

77.

How did the Jew think Abraham was justified?

78.

Could Abraham have been justified by works?