Romans 4 uses the life of Abraham to prove that justification has always been by faith, not works or religious ritual. Paul points out that Abraham was declared righteous *before* he was circumcised and *before* the Law was given, making him the father of all who believe. This chapter establishes 'Faith' as believing in a God who 'gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.'
v1-8: Abraham Was Justified by Faith, Not Works
v9-12: The Timing of Circumcision vs. Justification
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
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.
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; 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,
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Discover the 'faith of our fathers' through the story of an old man who believed God's impossible promise and was credited as righteous. Begin your study with romans 4 summary.
Abraham's faith didn't ignore his old age; it 'considered' the facts but decided that God's Word was more 'real' than his physical circumstances. The 'Word Secret' is *Logizomai*, an accounting term meaning 'to credit' to one's account, showing righteousness is a gift, not a paycheck. Discover the riches with romans 4 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.
Unlock the hidden romans 4 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.
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