Notes
on Justification through Faith
Paul uses the story of Abraham and the
Abrahamic covenant to illustrate that we are
justified through faith. Paul demonstrates that
Abraham was justified before he was justified
before he was circumcised. This demonstrated to
the Romans that it was not works such as
circumcision that we are saved but rather that we
are saved by faith.
Romans 4:1
What shall we say then that Abraham our father,
as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
- What can we say our father Abraham found
pertaining to the flesh.
Romans 4:2
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath
whereof to glory; but not before God.
- For if Abraham was justified by works, he
would have glory, but not before God.
(Abraham would be able to boast if by his
own works he was justified but he
cannot.)
Romans 4:3
For what saith the
scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was
counted unto him for righteousness.
Romans 4:4 Now
to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of
grace, but of debt.
- When a man works his pay is not a gift
but a debt.
Romans 4:5
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him
that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted
for righteousness.
- But the muan who does not work but just
believes in the one who saves the
sinners, his faith is counted for
righteousmness.
Romans 4:6
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of
the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness
without works,
- David also describes the blessedness of
man to whom God counts righteous apart
from his works.
Romans 4:7
Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are
forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
- Saying, Blessed are they whose wickedness
is forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Romans 4:8
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not
impute sin.
- Blessed is the man to whose sins the Lord
does not count.
Romans 4:9
Cometh this blessedness then upon the
circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision
also? for we say that faith was reckoned to
Abraham for righteousness.
- Are (God's) blessings only for the
circumcised or for the uncircumcised as
well. We have been saying Abraham's faith
was credited to him as righteousness.
Romans 4:10
How was it then reckoned? when he was in
circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in
circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
- When was the righteousness reckoned
before he was circumcised or after.
Before he was circumcised not after.
Romans 4:11
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:
- Abraham received the sign of circumcision
as a seal of the righteousness of the
faith which he before he was circumcised.
He received this sign so that he might be
the father of all them that believe, but
are not circumcised so that righteousness
might be imputed unto them also:
Romans 4:12
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.
- Abraham he is the father of the
circumcised who not only are circumcised
but who also walk in the footsteps of the
faith that our father Abraham had before
he was circumcised
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References in
Scripture Genesis 15:6
Romans 4:1 - 12
Galatians 3:6
James 2:23
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Genesis 15:6
6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him
as righteousness.
Genesis 17:9 - 11
9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt
keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee
in their generations.
10 This is my covenant, which ye shall
keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every
man child among you shall be circumcised.
11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of
your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant
betwixt me and you.
Psalms 32:1 -2
1 Of David. A maskil. Blessed is he whose
transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count
against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.
Galatians 3:6
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted
to him for righteousness.
Romans 4:1 -
12
1 What shall we say then that Abraham
our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by
works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture?
Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for
righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the
reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but
believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith
is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the
blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth
righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose
iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord
will not impute sin.
9 Cometh this blessedness then upon
the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also?
for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for
righteousness.
10 How was it then reckoned? when he
was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in
circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 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:
12 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.
James 2:23
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith,
Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for
righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
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