Romans 4

Romans 4 belongs to the early argument of Romans. It draws on the example of Abraham to support the claim made at the end of Romans 3 that a person is justified by faith rather than by the works of the law, and the discussion continues into Romans 5.

Outline

• Verses 1–8 Abraham was counted righteous not because of works but because he believed God (quoting Genesis 15:6). Paul contrasts grace with the wages owed to one who works, and cites the psalm of David (Psalm 32) on the blessedness of the one whose sins are covered.
• Verses 9–12 Abraham was counted righteous before he received circumcision. Circumcision was a sign and seal (a confirming mark) of the righteousness that came by faith, so he is the father of all who believe, whether circumcised or uncircumcised.
• Verses 13–17 The promise that he would be heir of the world came not through the law but through the righteousness of faith. Because the law works wrath, the promise is given by faith so that it may rest on grace.
• Verses 18–22 Though he was about a hundred years old and knew that his own body and the womb of Sarah were as good as dead, Abraham "against hope believed in hope."
• Verses 23–25 This record was written for "us" who believe on him who raised Jesus from the dead.

Key Verses

• Romans 4:3: "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." This verse is regarded as the Old Testament basis for justification by faith.
• Romans 4:5: "him that justifieth the ungodly." This phrase is frequently cited in discussions of the doctrine of justification (God's declaring a sinner righteous).
• Romans 4:25: This verse links both the death and the resurrection of Jesus to justification.

People and Places

• Abraham: the model of one justified by faith.
• David: cited as the speaker of the psalm.
• Sarah: Abraham's wife, mentioned as having been unable to bear children.
• Jesus Christ: appears in verses 23–25 as the object of faith.

Points for Reflection

• Paul builds his argument on the order of events in Genesis, in which the promise and Abraham's faith (Genesis 15) come before circumcision (Genesis 17).
• Traditions stemming from the Reformation, such as the Lutheran and Reformed churches, read "counted for righteousness" as the righteousness of Christ being credited to the believer (imputation). The Catholic Church has taught since the Council of Trent that justification also includes the inward renewal of the person. Scholars of the "New Perspective on Paul," such as N. T. Wright, read the chapter as more closely connected with the question of Jews and Gentiles together becoming members of Abraham's family.
• James 2:21–24 also quotes Genesis 15:6 while emphasizing works. Many interpreters hold that the two passages address different questions: the ground of justification and the evidence of a living faith. Galatians 3:6–9 treats Abraham's faith in a similar way.