Additional comments to the Letter to the Romans 4

Peter Forbes comments:

4:2      In questioning Abraham’s righteousness Paul develops the point that he made in Rom 2:13 showing that the law does not bring righteousness.

4:3 ‘Abraham believed God …‘ the quotation is from Gen. 15:6. Righteousness is imputed by God on the basis of faith, not works of the law. Gen. 15 predates the giving of the law. This is the thrust of the argument in verses 4:4,5 and circumcision – the implications of this are developed in Rom.4:9-13.

Man reading Psalms at the Western Wall. Jerusalem, Israel/Palestine, March 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

4:6-8 The appeal to Psalm 32:1-2 which is a Psalm that David wrote after Nathan had spoken of God’s forgiveness for David’s adultery [2 Sam.12:13] continues the theme of forgiveness from ch. 3:4 We should take great comfort from the fact that God was willing to forgive the repentant David.

4:7  Notice the subtle but important difference between the language of  Psa 32:1 – and Paul’s words here. Whilst the Psalm has ‘he’ whereas Paul here says ‘they’. Paul generalises from the Psalm. The Psalm has specific relevance to David’s situation. Paul says that specific application of forgiveness actually extends to all who follow David’s example of repentance.

4:11 Whilst Israel seemed to see circumcision as the ultimate test of Jewishness Paul clearly says here that it is a sign of what has already been seen in Abraham – that is his faith in God which was counted for righteousness.

4:18 ‘against hope believed in hope‘ tells us that Abraham had to have faith in the promise of the seed as it was humanly speaking impossible.

4:23 The implication from ‘now it was not written for his sake alone …‘ is that Abraham had a written copy of the promise.

Cliff York comments

Romans 4 – To meet the views of the Jews, the apostle first refers to the example of Abraham, in whom the Jews gloried as their most renowned forefather. However exalted in various respects, he had nothing to boast in the presence of God, for he too was saved by grace, through faith, even as others. Without noticing the years which passed before his call, and the failures at times in his obedience, and even in his faith, it was expressly stated in the Scripture that “he believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness,” Genesis 15:6. From this example it is observed, that if any man could work the full measure required by the law, the reward must then be reckoned as a debt, which evidently was not the case even of Abraham, seeing faith was reckoned to him for righteousness.

It is clear from the Scripture, that Abraham was justified several years before his circumcision. This then is Paul’s point to those who prided themselves on their pedigree and/or on the very private mark they received in their flesh whilst they were too young to effectively protest otherwise. It is, therefore, plain that this circumcision was not necessary in order to that justification which is by faith.

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It is truly fascinating to reflect on the great wisdom of the Father as one reads the 3 portions of Scripture each day, and often there runs a “Golden Thread” through them all. For example, one of the Golden Threads evident today, is the concept, that we can only be Justified by the Grace of God. Paul deals in great detail with the subject, of course, in Romans, Joseph in his life revealed how great a force faith in God is the life of each of His saints – Genesis 47:12, and the Psalmist captured the same beautifully in the closing verse of Psalm 50 – “Whoso offers praise glorifies me: and to him that orders his conversation aright, will I show the salvation of God.”

John Wilson comments

Prayer of David, psalm 51 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rom 4:7  As we read from Psa 32 the other day, and as we read from Psa 51 tomorrow, we can clearly see, and appreciate that the confession of sin is not seeking forgiveness, it acknowledges the righteousness of our Heavenly Father. We must also be aware of the fact, that our failings can not be forgiven unless we are prepared to acknowledge them.

Rom 4:17  “I have made thee a father of many nations.” Paul is quoting from Gen 17:5  Sarah was still barren at this time, but we see that this is written in the past tense. This was foreordained. There is a difference between pre-existence and being foreordained. The seed of Abraham, both Isaac and Christ were foreordained.

4:21 All promises that have been made by God, he is able to perform, certainly different from promises made by man. God never forgets a promise, while man frequently forgets, God’s promises are priceless, while promises of man are often times useless, God’s promises are always right, while mans are often wrong.

Michael Parry comments

Paul; the writer to the Hebrews; James; and Peter all talk about Abraham. He was the patriarch of the physical Jewish nation and also father of the faithful (4:16).
He was given the promises before the Law (Gen 17:5-8) – even before his circumcision (Gen 17:24).  The particular seed of his promise was Christ who fulfilled the Law (Matt 5:17, Gal 3:16).  However, God still has a covenant with the Jewish nation and the land of Israel even though they have not (yet) accepted Christ.  It is a mistake to believe, as some groups do, that any prophetical reference or future application concerning the Land and people of Israel is purely spiritual and not physical.

Rob de Jongh comments

For many of us the intricate arguments of scripture are too much to grasp. That’s why we’re given Abraham as an example. All we need to do is read about his life, emulate what we see, and we will obtain the same promises as him. Rom 4:3, 11-12, 16, 20-25.

 

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Preceding articles

Luther’s misunderstanding

January 27, 417, Pope Innocent I condemning Pelagius about Faith and Works

Our life depending on faith

Romans 4 and the Sacraments

Is Justification a process?

Letter to the Romans, chapter 3

Letter to the Romans, chapter 4

Additional comments to the 3rd Letter to the Romans

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Additional reading

1. Written down in God’s Name for righteousness
2. Testimonies to observe, inspired by God
3. Necessity of a revelation of creation 5 Getting understanding by Word of God 3
4. A god who gave his people commandments and laws he knew they never could keep to it
5. The Right One to follow and to worship
6. God showing how far He is willing to go to save His children
7. A secret to be reveiled
8. Gone astray, away from God
9. Back from gone #4 Your inner feelings and actions
10. Looking for something or for the Truth and what it might be and self-awareness
11. Two states of existence before God
12. The God of hope filling us with all joy and peace
13. God receives us on the basis of our faith
14. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us
15. With child and righteousness greater than the law
16. Nazarene Commentary Matthew 3:13-17 – Jesus Declared God’s Son at His Baptism
17. Atonement and the race been bought
18. A race not to swift, nor a battle to the strong
19. Fixing our attentionSelf inflicted misery #8 Pruning to strengthen us
20. Gaining Christ, trusting Jehovah
21. Set free from any form of mental torment or self-condemnation
22. Doctrine and Conduct Cause and Effect
23. Hope by faith and free gift
24. God’s love – Equal and unconditional for all believers
25. True richesBeing Religious and Spiritual 7 Transcendence to become one
26. If you have integrity
27. Honor your own words as if they were an important contract
28. All Positive Energy People Are Acceptable
29. Our openness to being approachable
30. Preaching to an unbelieving world
31. Is your mind thirsty?
32. The Dress Code for Women in the Quran

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Further readings

1. Daily Devotional – Romans 4:1-12
2. Daily Devotional – Romans 4:12-25
3. Romans 4 and the Sacraments
4. Faith-full Father Abraham
5. Paul’s Scriptural Argument
6. Paul’s Argument of Maturity
7. What works was Paul talking about in Romans?
8. Background to Romans 9-11: key teaching from Romans 1:16-4:25
9. Structure of Romans 1:16-4:25
10. May 23 2 Chronicles 6,7; Psalms 135; Romans 4
11. Devotional # 90. Galatians 3:15-29
12. A Promise
13. God is righteous and just (God is good 4)
14. “It’s something only God can do, and you trust him to do it.” ~Apostle Paul
15. The relevance of  God’s Word today
16. Righteousness of Faith
17. Could Abraham have remained childless?
18. Would Your Faith Save You?
19. It’s not about you
20. The Best Way to “Stand Up” For Jesus: Revisiting Romans
21. What works was Paul talking about in Romans?
22. Nullify the Torah?
23. Apart From The Law Of Righteousness
24. Under The Law
25. Scriptures on Righteousness- Joseph Prince
26. Righteous and Right-ness
27. Greater Love Hath No Man
28. Jesus Christ has done enough
29. Verse of the day – Righteousness of the Law
30. Grace words for today Devotional
31. It is in difficult times that we choose to continue to do what is right while everything else seems wrong that we grow
32. Getting wisdom
33. Moral Image
34. Incredible Peace
35. It Is God’s Presence in Us
36. Strength In Your Hair Or Your Faith?
37. Daily Inspiration, January 28th
38. You Have on Different Clothing Now
39. Christ: A Place In God
40. The Privilege
41. The Sermon on the Mount is not a Guide to Christian Salvation
42. Experiencing Revival Part 3: Obedience
43. Righteousness Pt 10
44. Kingdom Come
45. You Christian, shouldn’t carry guilt, or seek ongoing forgiveness to stay “right” with God.
46. Exodus 4-6 Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son
47. The Myths and Facts of Circumcision
48. The Question of Circumcision II
49. God confronted even Moses for not keeping the covenant
50. What is so important about this Commandment?
51. Experience the change in status from “Children of the flesh,” and of the world : to “Children by promise,” and in the World -Guy#2:03
52. Surrender: Circumcision of the Heart
53. Is your heart circumcised today?
54. Only Jesus Christ – no if’s, no but’s (1)
55. Yes’s and No’s
56. entering in…as chosen ones

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Related articles

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• Yes, Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God (But Here’s What That Means & Doesn’t)
• Psalm 10
• What is said of God is said of the righteous – Psa 111 and 112
• Christ’s Kingdom. Advent Midweek 3, 2015

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