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Romans 4 — Faith Was Reckoned to Abraham for Righteousness
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. To him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works. Abraham received the sign of circumcision after he had believed — that he might be the father of all them that believe. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief.
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
— Romans 4:5
- v.1-8 Abraham justified by faith
- v.9-12 Circumcision a seal, not the cause
- v.13-25 The promise by faith, not law
Him that justifieth the ungodly. A scandalous phrase. God justifies the ungodly through faith. The verse is the Reformation in one line.
A check on the moralistic gospel. If God justified the godly, no one would qualify. He justifies the ungodly who believe. That is the only good news there is for humans.
Staggered not. He felt the impossibility (he was old; Sarah was barren) and did not stumble. Faith is not the absence of difficulty; it is the persistence past it.
Strong in faith. Faith strengthens by use. Abraham was strong because he kept trusting through the years.
A compact statement of the gospel. Christ's death dealt with our offenses; His resurrection ratified our justification.
The resurrection is not a separate doctrine but the seal of the cross. Without it, justification has no public proof; with it, the verdict is announced.
Verse 5 settles every attempt to justify yourself before God. The God who justifies the ungodly does so by faith alone. Stop trying to clean up enough to qualify. Believe on Him that justifies the ungodly — and you are reckoned righteous.
Romans 4 anchors justification by faith in Abraham's precedent, then closes with Christ — delivered for our offences, raised for our justification. The same God who counted Abraham's faith counts the believer's today, on the basis of the cross and resurrection of Christ.
Genesis 15:6 quoted as the model of justification. Abraham was justified by believing, not by performing. The father of the faithful is the father of the believing.
Counted unto him. The technical word for accounting. Faith on the believer's side; righteousness from God's side; the transaction is bookkeeping at the highest level.