In Romans 3:21-22 we read, “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God THROUGH FAITH in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.”  Then in verses 26-27 we read, “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of FAITH. Therefore, we conclude that a man is JUSTIFIED BY FAITH apart for the deeds of the law.”  In Chapter 4, the Apostle Paul continues this truth of the sinner being “justified by FAITH” apart from anything the sinner can. Paul illustrates this truth by using Old Testament examples to show that men have always been “justified by FAITH.” As we shall see, this is not a New Testament revelation. Here is a short outline of the chapter:

1. By FAITH not works (4:1-8)

2. By FAITH not rites (4:9-12)

3. By FAITH not the Law (4:13-17)

4. By FAITH in God’s Promise (4:18-25)

1. In verses 1-8 Paul shows that both Abraham and David were “justified by faith and not works.” Concerning Abraham we read, “What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham BELIEVED God, and it was accounted to him for RIGHTEOUSNESS’” (verses 1-3). Concerning David we read, “Just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God IMPUTES RIGHTEOUSNESS APART FROM WORKS” (verse 6).

2. In verses 9-12 Paul shows that Abraham was “justified by faith” before he was circumcised. “For we say that FAITH was accounted to Abraham for RIGHTEOUSNESS…while he was UNCIRCUMCISED” (verses 9-10). Many Jews trusted in the “rite of circumcision” to justify them and in the early church period we in Acts 15:1, “And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, ‘Unless you be circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’” This was then taken up by the council in Jerusalem, and they concluded that this was a false doctrine and that “we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved” (see verses 6-11). In Galatians 5:2, 5-6 Paul taught “Indeed, I, Paul say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ SHALL PROFIT YOU NOTHING…For in Christ Jesus…circumcision…avails nothing” (Galatians 5:2, 5-6). They were ADDING circumcision to the finished work of Christ and today people ADD the rite of baptism, believing it is necessary for salvation. They too will find out that “Christ shall profit you nothing.”

3. In verses 13-17 Paul shows that Abraham was “justified by faith” and not by the law.” Verses 13-14 make this perfectly clear: “For the promise that he would be heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but THROUGH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF FAITH. For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of not effect.”

4. In verses 18-25 Paul shows that Abraham was JUSTIFIED by believing the promise God gave to him. God promised that he would have a son (though he was 100 years old) and eventually the Savior of the world would be born through his line (see Galatians 3:15-18). Yet “he did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised he was able to perform. And therefore ‘it was ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’” (verses 18-22). Verses 23-25 go on to say, “Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our JUSTIFICATION.” Just like Abraham, our faith is in Christ, and thus we too have God’s righteousness imputed to us by simply believing His promise to us. “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IS JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38-39).  (DO)  (721.3)