Paul is writing to the believers who were scattered throughout Rome and his correspondence was meant to provide a further understanding of their salvation in Jesus Christ. He had already helped his readers discover their utter sinfulness before God, which would therefore result in His judgment upon the sinner (1:18-3:20). God’s punishment of the sinner was justified because He had provided sufficient witness of Himself (1:19-20), but all mankind had rejected the truth. Paul knew that some of his readers might think that their good works (such as circumcision) or Jewish heritage would cause God to have mercy upon them, so he made it clear that no man could earn righteousness on his own (4:1-12). Instead of finding mercy through human effort, Paul declared that man could only find righteousness through faith in God and the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ (3:24-26).
Paul’s Jewish readers were probably confused about the meaning of circumcision if salvation is found through faith in Jesus Christ, so he explains that Abraham (father of the Jewish nation) was declared righteous through faith and his circumcision was only an outward sign of his faith (4:1-12). Just like circumcision could not bring Abraham righteousness, Paul also made it clear that keeping the Mosaic law had no power to provide righteousness. When God made a covenant with Abraham to bless the world through his seed (see Genesis 12:3; 15:5; 18:18; 22:18), the seed being spoken of was Jesus Christ who would bring forgiveness to all (4:13a). This covenant was not based in keeping the law (which only exposed man’s sin), but the righteousness from God through faith (4:13b-15). Paul then writes, “Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise [all people blessed] might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law [believing Jews], but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham [believing Gentiles]…in the presence of Him whom he believed–God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did…” (4:16-17). So, the ultimate power for being declared righteous is through God’s unmerited favor (grace) as man exercises his faith in God’s graciousness.
Concluding that righteousness is received “by [God's] grace through [man's] faith” (Ephesians 2:8-9), Paul now reinforced that grace does not descend from the works of man, but by God crediting righteousness to man’s account through belief in Jesus Christ. Therefore, righteousness is “imputed to us who believe in Him [God the Father] who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification” (4:24-25). Jesus’ death covered our sin and His resurrection evidenced that God accepted His sacrifice on behalf of the sinner.
Dear God, thank You for the grace extended to the sinner through faith in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Without grace, I would still be in sin and void of hope. Your grace amazes me.
Genesis 17:17 – Abraham’s faith wavered. Everyone seems to gloss over this. Any thoughts?
Conrad,
That is a great thought. Although Abraham hesitated in his faith, I don’t believe he lost or abandoned his faith. From a human standpoint, Abraham wavered wondering how God could accomplish this, but from a divine perspective Abraham knew God could accomplish the impossible. I think this is the point where all of us waver. Knowing that God can do what He says He will do, but from our perspective wondering how it will be accomplished.
Abraham never gave up hope throughout the entire situation, which is seen by how he was always attempting to fulfill the promise in a way that made sense to him; however, God had different plans and I think this is where Abraham struggled – not if it could be done but how it could be done.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.