Romans 4:13-25 – Faith and not law that justifies

In these verses Paul now turned to argue that the Law did not justify Abraham either. Here we see an emphatic declaration that the promise which Abraham and his descendants would inherit the earth would be through the righteousness of faith and not through the Law. This “inheriting the world” is better seen in the messianic context, that is, through the Messiah, the seed of Abraham, that he would have dominion over the world.

In verses 13-14, Paul gave the first reason why the promise was received by faith and not through the Law. He argued from chronology. The promise to Abraham was made and received before the Law was given. Their history revealed that the Law came 430 years later and it could not possibly cancel out the covenant which was given earlier.

Secondly, he argued that both the Law and faith are mutually exclusive. If the promise is received through obedience to the Law, then faith has got no value and the promise is cancelled. Then he established that it was the Law that brought wrath. For without the Law, there would be no transgression or no violation of it and thus, no wrath. But because of God’s grace, through faith, Abraham’s seeds, both the Jews and Gentile who believe, were guaranteed the promise of God.

Finally, Paul supported his claim that it was faith and not the Law that justified Abraham. Therefore in him, all his descendants can be guaranteed the promise. In calling Abraham the father of us all, Paul was referring to him as the father of all Jews, his physical descendants as well as the Gentiles, who by faith follow his footstep and take on his spiritual lineage.

Paul now turned positively to assert that Abraham was justified by faith. The faith of Abraham was based on God’s power and faithfulness objectively. Abraham believed that God is able to keep what He promised and He is trustworthy and reliable regarding them. In the latter part of verse 17, Paul showed how God’s power is clearly affirmed by two undeniable facts: by Christ’s resurrection – giving life to the dead and by creation – calling the world into being from nothingness

It was Abraham’s hope in this God that kept him believing in God’s promise that his seed would be as numerous as the stars, although Sarah and he could not even have a child. Abraham did not deny both Sarah’s and his physical inability to conceive. He was about 100 years old and his body was as good as dead; Sarah’s womb was also barren and dead. Yet out of the seeming double-death, God brought forth a life. It is both a creation and a resurrection.

Furthermore, Abraham did not waver in his faith in God concerning His promise, even when he had to trust God concerning Isaac’s life later. He did not waver in unbelief because he trusted in the faithfulness of God. He allowed God to be God and just trusted Him to be reliable in fulfilling His promise.

The account of Abraham’s life, about his justification, is given for us to follow. It is for our instruction concerning faith. Just as God had credited righteousness to Abraham because of his faith, this same God will also credit to us the same righteousness. But we need to emulate Abraham and have faith in Him, that He had raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. Paul wrapped up here by giving a summary purpose of Christ’s death and resurrection. He died to atone for our sin and rose again for our justification. Hallelujah! Our sins are forgiven and we are justified in Christ. Let’s live for His glory!