Justified by Faith Alone
Romans 4
Insights from the Grace and Truth Study Bible
In Romans 4, Paul draws us deep into the foundational truth of justification by faith, using Abraham as a living testament to God’s unchanging plan of salvation. This chapter dismantles any notion that righteousness can be earned through works and beautifully reveals that it is solely through faith in God's promises that we are declared righteous.
Abraham: The Example of Faith (Romans 4:1–8)
Paul begins by holding up Abraham, the patriarch of Israel, as the ultimate example of justification by faith. If Abraham had been justified by works, he could boast—but not before God. Instead, Scripture declares, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (v. 3). His righteousness was not earned; it was granted through belief in God’s promises.
A Parable of Trust:
Imagine a child standing on the edge of a swimming pool, hesitant to jump into their father's arms. The father calls, "Jump! I'll catch you!" The child doesn’t weigh the father's strength or question his love; they simply leap, trusting that their father will do what he promised. Abraham's faith mirrored this childlike trust. He "jumped" into God’s promises, believing in what seemed impossible.
Faith, Not Works, Brings Righteousness (Romans 4:4–12)
Paul makes a clear distinction between works and faith. A worker earns wages, but God’s righteousness is a gift—freely given to those who believe. Abraham was declared righteous before he was circumcised, showing that faith, not ritual or works, is the basis of justification. This truth opened the door for both Jews and Gentiles to become heirs of God's promises.
The Promise Comes Through Faith (Romans 4:13–17)
God’s promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations did not come through the law but through the righteousness that comes by faith. If the promise depended on the law, it would be unattainable because the law exposes sin and brings wrath. But God, in His grace, made the promise secure by anchoring it in faith, making Abraham the father of all who believe.
Faith in the Impossible (Romans 4:18–21)
Abraham’s faith was not blind optimism. He fully recognized the impossibility of fathering a child at his age, yet he did not waver. He was “fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised” (v. 21). His unwavering trust glorified God because it acknowledged God’s limitless power and unwavering faithfulness.
Our Faith in Christ (Romans 4:22–25)
Paul connects Abraham's story to our own. Just as Abraham was declared righteous by believing God's promise, we too are justified when we believe in Jesus—who was delivered over to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification. Faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross and His victorious resurrection secures our righteousness before God.
Reflection:
Do I rest in the truth that my righteousness is a gift from God, not something I can earn?
In what areas of my life is God calling me to trust Him fully, even when His promises seem impossible?
How does my faith glorify God in the way I live, work, and relate to others?
Prayer:
Father, I rejoice in the gift of righteousness You have freely given through faith in Jesus Christ. Thank You for making me Your child, not because of my works but because of Your mercy. Like Abraham, may I trust You completely, believing in Your promises even when circumstances seem impossible. Let my life reflect unwavering confidence in Your power and goodness, and may You be glorified through me. I rest in the finished work of Jesus and the new life I have in Him. Amen.
May we live with bold faith, trusting in God’s promises and resting in the righteousness He has freely given through Christ