Scriptural text: Romans 4
Lesson Context:
The lesson (Romans chapter 4) begins the discussion of the remedy to universal sin. Far from facing a hopeless situation, humans have a model available to them of how to approach God. That model is the life of Abraham. God promised that He would bless the world through Abraham. When God promised that He would bless the world through Abraham, Abraham chose to respond in faith. Paul’s readers, especially those of Jewish heritage would have agreed that Abraham’s legacy was important and valuable. The question in dispute is precisely what that legacy is. Paul argues that Abraham had a relationship with God because he placed his trust in God and trusted God’s promise. Nothing else. Jesus modeled that trust by submitting to His sacrificial death on a cross, being confident that God would work for good through Jesus’ shame and trust. That trust is the basis for any relationship with the same merciful God.
1. True Heirs of Abraham (Romans 4:13):
A. Not by the Law (v. 13a). 13a. “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law.”
Since all God’s dealings with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob happened before the giving of the Mosaic Law, we can’t say they were based on the law. Instead, they are based on God’s declaration of Abraham’s righteousness through faith. “Faith is the ground of God’s blessing. Abraham was a blessed man, indeed, but he became heir of the world on another principle entirely-simple faith.” (Guzik)
B. The Righteousness of Faith (v. 13b). “But through the righteousness of faith.”
The law cannot bring us into the blessings of God’s promises. This is not because the law is bad, but because we are unable to keep it. (Guzik)
ll. Supporting Arguments (Romans 4:14-25).
A. Not the Promise (vv. 14- 15). “For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect.” Salvation comes through God’s promise since God saves “the ungodly” (Romans 4:5). Nothing that we can do can save us. Rather, the Law of Moses leads one to love God and fellow human beings (Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37- 40). Paul does not mean that Jews or Gentile converts who keep the law cannot also trust God. But what was promised because of faith still required faith; law- keeping could not substitute for trusting God (Galatians 3:18).
15. “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.” Our inability to keep the law (our transgression) means that it becomes essentially a vehicle of God’s wrath towards us, especially if we regard it as the principle by which we are justified and relate to God. (Guzik)
20. “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.”
21. “And being fully persuaded, that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” This verse concludes Paul’s analysis of Abraham’s trust as confidence in God’s ability and willingness to act benevolently for the benefits of human beings, This verse also describes an aspect of God’s promise they are not idle words.
References: David Guzik Bible Commentary, Matthew Henry Bible Commentary, International Sunday School Lessons
