Romans 3:27-4:15

We have seen that the gospel involves work done by God Himself.  As the Son He came to earth, lived a sinless life, and was the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).  And this gospel is good news for those who believe (1:16-17; 3:21-26).  Thus it makes sense that the Spirit would now lead Paul to emphasize and explain this matter of faith.  In addition it makes sense that since justification is offered as a gift of grace (3:24) the path to justification cannot depend on the recipients’ merit.  Gifts are to be received with thanksgiving.  A paycheck or an award are the benefits of work and achievement.

Paul begins his explanation.  There is no boasting as in an award or a raise in pay.  There isno standard or law that has been kept for all have sinned!  Rather there is obedience to the law of faith.  As will be noted, this law commands us to stop trying to earn God’s favor and simply receive it with thanks.  This is the principle for all mankind.  This establishes the written law because while the law cannot be our path to justification it does bring us to the end of the path of works.

In order to make a clear explanation Paul uses an illustration.  In Ch. 4 he turns to the story of Abraham in Genesis 12-15.  Abraham is the Bible’s classic picture of faith.  The critical Old Testament reference is Gen. 15:6, referred to frequently in this chapter: Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness.

There is a transaction which is noted here.  Righteousness was put to Abraham’s account.  Like the rest of humanity Abraham was a sinner condemned by his Creator.  And yet we see God’s righteousness put to his account on the basis of faith.  In other words, God justified him by faith!

In the Bible there are three accountings.  First, God put sin on everyone’s account when Adam sinned (Rom. 5:12-14).  All become sinners in Adam.  Second, God put the sin of every man on Christ’s account (2 Cor. 5:21).  Finally, God put the righteousness of Christ on the account of every believer (2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 4:1-3).

In using Abraham to illustrate this Paul makes it clear that …

·        Abraham was not justified by works, 4:1-8.  If anyone could be justified by works Abraham would be the one.  God spoke well of him (Isa. 41:8; Gen. 26:5).  But he also needed grace and if he was to work it would make God his debtor (v4).  Paul supports the argument quoting David’s words that God forgives and covers the sins of the happy man; He does not count sins against him (v7-8 are from Psalm 32:1-2).

·        Abraham was not justified by being circumcised, 4:9-12.  Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness (Gen. 15:6) before God gave him the rite of circumcision (Gen. 17:9-14).  As important as this ritual was it did not save Abraham.  Thus Abraham is the father of all true believers, whether circumcised or not (v11b-12).

·        Abraham was not justified by law-keeping, 4:13-15.  The same argument can be used of the law since Abraham lived long before Moses.  In fact, law-keeping voids faith, and Abraham is no longer counting on the promise of God but on his own merit if he is justified by law-keeping.  Where there is a law it will be broken; but if there is no law (i.e. the condition is a promise) then the promise will be fulfilled.

So Abraham illustrates how we are justified: not by works or ritual or law-keeping but by faith.  Have you obeyed the law of faith in Christ for justification?