Romans 4: Abraham's Faith and Righteousness Apart from Works

Short answer: Romans 4 argues that Abraham was justified by faith, not by works or circumcision, and that this same righteousness is credited to all who believe in the God who raised Jesus from the dead. It uses Abraham and David as examples to show that God counts people righteous apart from works, based on faith alone.

What Romans 4 says

Paul opens with a question about Abraham, the forefather according to the flesh. If Abraham was justified by works, he would have something to boast about, but not before God. Scripture says Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Paul then contrasts working for a reward, which is owed, with believing in the one who justifies the ungodly, whose faith is accounted for righteousness. David also pronounces blessing on those whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered, and on the man whom the Lord will not charge with sin. This blessing comes apart from works, showing that righteousness is a gift received by faith, not a wage earned by effort.

Paul then asks whether this blessing is only for the circumcised or also for the uncircumcised. He points out that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness before he was circumcised. Circumcision came later as a sign and seal of the righteousness he already had by faith while uncircumcised. This makes Abraham the father of all who believe, whether circumcised or not, so that righteousness might be credited to them as well. He is also the father of those who are circumcised and who walk in the steps of the faith Abraham had before circumcision. The order matters: faith first, then the sign, so that the promise rests on faith for all.

Paul explains that the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If those who are of the law are heirs, then faith is made void and the promise is nullified. The law produces wrath, and where there is no law, there is no disobedience. Therefore the promise is of faith so that it may be according to grace, making it sure to all the offspring, not only those of the law but also those who share the faith of Abraham. Abraham is the father of us all, as it is written that God made him a father of many nations. This is in the presence of the God he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

Paul describes Abraham's faith in the face of impossible circumstances. Against hope, Abraham believed in hope, so that he might become a father of many nations, according to what was spoken. He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, already worn out at about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God. He was fully assured that what God had promised, God was also able to perform. Therefore it was credited to him for righteousness. Paul concludes that this was not written for Abraham's sake alone, but for our sake also, to whom righteousness will be credited, who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. Jesus was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Verses that carry the chapter

• “For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:3)” (Romans 4:3) — This verse grounds the entire argument by quoting Scripture that Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. It establishes that righteousness comes by faith, not works.
• “But to him who doesn’t work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:5) — This verse makes the radical claim that God justifies the ungodly, and that faith is accounted for righteousness to the one who does not work but believes. It shows grace as the basis, not human effort.
• “For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the offspring, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16) — This verse explains that the promise is of faith so that it may be according to grace, making it sure to all the offspring, not just those of the law. It highlights God's inclusive plan through faith.
• “who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.” (Romans 4:25) — This verse connects Jesus' death and resurrection to our justification, stating he was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. It ties the chapter's argument to the gospel event.

Gospel connection

Romans 4 connects Abraham's faith to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Abraham believed God, and his faith was credited as righteousness, not because of works or circumcision. This same pattern applies to all who believe in the God who raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification, fulfilling the promise that Abraham would be heir of the world and father of many nations. The chapter shows that justification has always been by faith, apart from works, so that the promise may be sure to all the offspring, both Jew and Gentile. The gospel is not a new method of earning favor but the revelation of the righteousness that comes by faith in the risen Lord.

Application

This chapter asks readers to stop trying to earn righteousness and instead trust in the God who justifies the ungodly. It invites us to look at Abraham, who believed against hope, and to follow his steps of faith. Concrete application means examining where we rely on our own works, religious rituals, or moral effort to make ourselves acceptable to God. It calls us to rest in the finished work of Jesus, who was raised for our justification. It also encourages us to hold fast to God's promises even when circumstances seem dead, like Abraham's aged body and Sarah's barren womb. Faith grows strong by giving glory to God and being fully assured that what he promised he is able to perform.

Biblical fidelity check

The chapter does not claim that Abraham was justified by works, nor does it say circumcision was necessary for righteousness. It does not present Abraham as a model of sinless perfection or as someone who earned God's favor. It does not say that the law is evil, only that it brings wrath and cannot make the promise effective. It does not specify the exact timing of Abraham's life events beyond his age and Sarah's deadness. It does not describe the mechanics of how faith is credited as righteousness, nor does it explain the full nature of the resurrection. It remains silent on the details of David's sin, only citing his pronouncement of blessing. It does not address the role of works in the life of the believer after justification, focusing instead on the basis of justification itself.

Questions for study

1. According to verses 1 through 5, what is the difference between a reward owed for works and a righteousness credited by faith?
2. Why does Paul emphasize that Abraham's faith was credited before he was circumcised, and what does that mean for the inclusion of the uncircumcised?
3. In verses 13 through 17, how does the promise being through faith rather than law make it sure to all the offspring?
4. What does Abraham's response to his own aged body and Sarah's dead womb teach us about the nature of faith in God's promises?
5. How does verse 25 connect the death and resurrection of Jesus to the justification that Paul has been describing throughout the chapter?

Keep reading

Related studies: Romans 1 Bible Study, Romans 11 Bible Study, Romans 14 Bible Study, Romans 15 Bible Study.

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FAQ

What does it mean that Abraham's faith was accounted to him for righteousness?

It means that God credited righteousness to Abraham on the basis of his belief in God's promise, not because of any works he had done. This righteousness was a gift, received by faith, and it became the pattern for all who believe.

Why does Paul bring up circumcision in this chapter?

Paul uses circumcision to show that Abraham was declared righteous before he was circumcised, so that he could be the father of all who believe, both circumcised and uncircumcised. The sign came after the faith, proving that righteousness is not tied to ritual observance.

How does Romans 4 apply to believers today?

It assures believers that their standing before God rests on faith in Jesus Christ, who was raised for their justification, not on their own efforts or religious practices. It calls them to trust in God's promise and to live by faith, giving glory to God.