Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Romans 4:1-25)

  • Romans 4:2 – Compare Romans 3:20, 28. None of us can be saved on the basis of law-keeping.

  • Romans 4:4 – In a physical job, the employer owes the employee his wages – it is not a gift. It is not that way with God and salvation. Salvation is a gift from God. Regardless of how many good deeds we have done, none of them can make up for our sins. “Words” here is about being perfect.

  • Romans 4:1-8 – If a person never sinned, he would be righteous by works. If he sinned and God forgave him because of the man’s faith, he would be righteous by grace (through faith). Abraham fell in the latter category, as do all of us.

  • Romans 4:3 – “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

  • Romans 4:6-8 – Even Abraham sinned (Genesis 12:13). He, like us, was justified by faith instead of perfect works.

  • Romans 4:9-13 – Abraham’s faith was credited to him before he was circumcised. The Jews prided themselves on circumcision, but Paul brought up this fact that they may have never thought about.

  • Romans 4:14-17 – Law systems, such as the Law of Moses, bring about wrath because no one perfectly obeys the laws. What we need is a system of faith and grace.