Romans Chapter 4 : Believing God’s Tremendous Promise

Romans 4.1-12  “The Blessing of Abraham”

The Signs of the Times : February 13, 1896

The ultimate object of studying any Bible book in detail is to be able to take in the entire book at one glance.  The second chapter and the first portion of the third of Romans have given us the information that all men are in the same deplorable condition.  Then comes the brighter side in the last part of the third chapter, in which the free grace of God is set forth in Christ as the Saviour of sinners.  And now in the fourth chapter we have the final argument concerning justification by faith.

The Case of Abraham: Romans 4:1-12

“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. For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also; and the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.”

Questioning the Text:

•    What is the theme for consideration in this chapter?
o    What “Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found.”

•    What would Abraham have if he were justified by works?
o    “If Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory.”

•    But can he glory?
o    “Not before God.”