Romans - Chapter 4

Romans 4 (New International Version)


Abraham Justified by Faith

To be justified by following the law is to be justified by works. For it is only by ones own effort that you can live by the law. If you are justified by following the law (as the Pharisees believed) then you have attained righteousness by your own effort. This leads nowhere but to pride and boasting. But, if a man is justified righteous by faith alone, God deserves and receives all the glory. For man has done nothing in and of himself to earn any praise.

Romans 4:2-5
2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

Abraham did not receive the promise of God through the law, but by the righteousness that comes by faith. If the law is the answer than faith has no value and the promise is worthless. Law brings wrath. No law results in no transgression.

Romans 4:13-15
13 It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, 15 because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.