Romans Part 16

In chapter 4, Paul turns to Abraham, one of the most powerful cultural references he could have used. Abraham serves as both an example and a proof of Paul's argument. Scripture says that Abraham's righteousness was accounted to him because of his belief, not because of works. The word "counted" is an accounting term meaning "to credit." Genesis 15:6 records God's covenant with Abraham and states that his faith was accounted to him for righteousness.

It is important to remember where Abraham was at this point in his life. By the time of Genesis 15, Abraham had already left his home, abandoned his former way of life, and had been demonstrating and growing in faith for years. His faith was not a momentary decision but an ongoing way of life. Genesis 26:5 later confirms this by saying, 

"Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws."

This fits perfectly with other passages of Scripture. Galatians 3:5-9 emphasizes that we are justified by faith, not by works. James 2:20-24 teaches that faith must involve keeping God's law because "faith without works is dead." Paul's point complements James's, that works without faith are dead. Faith was and always has been central to the law of God for Abraham, for Israel, for Paul, and for Christians today. It cannot mean that works are unnecessary because that would overturn the words of Paul, James, and even Christ Himself. As Jesus said in John 8:34-39, the children of Abraham do the works of Abraham.

In Romans 4:4, Paul then explains that wages are credited as a debt, something owed, rather than as a gift. A paycheck is earned and says nothing about the goodness of the one you work for. God's relationship with us is different because it is based on grace. Genesis 26:4-5 makes it clear that Abraham's blessing did not end with belief. He continued in faithful obedience. We get on the right side of the ledger by faith, but we stay there by obedience that results from and proves our faith. God does not owe us anything because we keep the Sabbath or avoid unclean meats. We still need the sacrifice of Jesus Christ because we are sinners, so that God can declare us righteous.

Paul then quotes David, who wrote that blessed are those whose sins are forgiven and whose lawless deeds are covered. David's words show that the law was never about earning forgiveness. The mercy of God, received through faith rather than earned, has always been at the center of God's interaction with mankind.

In verse 9, Paul next returns to Abraham as the one man who bridges the gap between the uncircumcised and the circumcised. Abraham exemplifies justification through faith that upholds the law. David taught, and Abraham demonstrated that righteousness must be counted or credited to us by God, not by ourselves.

Paul describes circumcision as a "sign" and a "seal of the righteousness" (verse 11). A sign is an identifying mark. Biblically, the word often refers to miracles or wonders. Circumcision was a physical sign placed on a man or his son. A seal is more specific. It is like a personal inscription or insignia that an important person stamps onto a document. A man can place the sign of circumcision on himself while living without faith, but only God can place the seal of righteousness upon someone, and He does so only for those who have and live by faith. Paul later develops this same idea in Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 4:30, and 2 Corinthians 1:22, where believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption. To "walk in the steps of the faith" of Abraham (verse 13) necessarily involves what we do and how we live.

It is also noteworthy that Abraham’s faith was accounted to him while he was uncircumcised. 

"And he received the sign of circumcision,  seal of righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised." (Romans 4:11-12)  

This correlates with Galatians 3:26-29 where Paul indicates that all previous designations and categories become irrelevant in the faith, such as Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female.  We are all one in Christ in the faith and become heirs according to God’s promise when we are baptized into Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, as we will read more about in Romans 6.  

Epistles of Paul is a course taught at ABC by Mr. Steve Myers. Recordings from the 2023–2024 class year are available on the ABC website.

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.