Proof from Abraham and David that justification is by faith

(4:1-8)

4:1 What did Abraham find out about the law and faith?

Read with 3:31; 4:16

4:2 He could glory in himself if it is the law, but we know that Abraham was justified by faith - Gen. 15:6

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Gal 3:6_11

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Phil 3:9

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Eph 2:9 (KJV)

That no flesh should glory in his presence. 1 Cor 1:29

Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. Jer 9:23_24

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

1 Cor 9:16

4:3 Obedience ÷ more faith ÷ obedience ÷

His faith was the means of receiving the righteousness of God and so you too are reckoned righteous by faith. "Abraham did the one thing a man could do without doing anything."

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. James 2:23

4:4-5 Faith takes you to a place of resting in Christ. We are to put such confidence in Christ that we are totally dependent upon God like a seed sown on the ground. Total - absolute commitment.

Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 9:32_33

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Romans 11:6

"ungodly"/ totally depraved, every part is affected by sin, no claim or merit of our own.

4:6-8 David was deeply repentant for ungodly acts - Ps. 32:1-2

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Psalms 146:5

God imputes righteousness, not iniquity to the one who comes by faith - Cf. 4:11,24; 5:18

4:9-12 Justification is apart from the ordinances. Abraham was reckoned righteous and it was 14 years later that he was circumcised! The sign of circumcision was a seal on what he already had, the righteousness of faith. Therefore Abraham could be the father of both Jews and Gentiles - circumcised and uncircumcised.

4:13-14 Unconditional promise

4:15 Sin is pointed out by the law and is made known to man who hears. Cf. 5:20-21; 7:7-11; I Cor. 15:56

4:16 God purposed sure security for all the spiritual seed of Abraham. Salvation and blessing must be by faith. It is by grace alone and rests on the work of God. Gal. 3:7-12,22

4:17 Abraham established as the father of many nations. Isaac: He gives life to the dead - the God of the resurrection. He calls into being that which did not exist before!

"he calleth"/ equivalent to a command / the creation was the work of the creator! Gal. 3:16,19

4:18 Abraham was an example of faith and hope. He kept on in hope, even with many trials. We inherit what Abraham received - we are in the line of God’s blessing. The promises were in him and all the conditions of that blessing are through Christ. You and I just step into the line of blessing when we come to Christ. Rom. 5:5; 8:24-25; Prov. 13:12

Satan hates active faith and opposes it with all his power. Against hope, reason, feeling, opinions of others, and all human possibilities, we are to keep on believing. The *essence of faith is that God gives life to those who are hopelessly dead and have no where to turn.

4:19 He realized that his own condition was helpless before God and that he had no hope. He also recognized that his wife was past the age of childbearing. Before him was a humanly impossible situation, but he also had the promises of God. Mk. 9:23,24; Heb. 11:11-13; Gen. 17:17-22; 18:11-14

4:20 It was plainly a question of the truthfulness of God, and His ability to carry out His promises. Cf. **Gen. 15:5,6

EiV de thn epaggelian - Lit. "As a result of the promise"

"He staggered not"/ diekriqh - Aor Pass Ind - to separate, make a distinction, prefer, learn by discrimination, try, decide, determine, give judgment, decide a dispute, withdraw from one, separate one's self in a hostile spirit, oppose, strive with dispute, contend, be at variance with one's self, hesitate, doubt, vacillate between two opinions.

In Gen. 17:17 we find that Abraham not only considered the natural deadness of his body, but also brought up the question to God. But the Lord answered his objection with a promise. Abraham thereafter refused to have his faith weakened by any natural thought, but set God’s promise before his mind.

James 1:6-8 "nothing wavering"

Every time Abraham or Sarah spoke the name Isaac they would remember how graciously Jehovah had kept His covenant. It was not until Abraham was 100 years old that he finally realized the greatness of faith and the greatness of God. "When he was about an hundred years old"

"Strong in faith" - enedunamwqh th pistei - Aor Pass Ind

to strengthened or enabled

"Giving glory to God" - douV (from didomi) Aor Act Ptc

to give something to someone of one's own accord, bestow a gift, supply, furnish, deliver, present, commit, to give what is due or obligatory, to pay wages or reward, to give something that already belongs to them.

4:21 "fully persuaded"/ plhroforhqeiV - Aor Pass Ptc

God persuaded him that God was able to perform the impossible. to make full, to fulfil the ministry in every part,

carry through to the end, accomplish completely, to fill someone with thought, conviction, or inclination, to make one certain, to persuade, convince, assure.

2 Tim. 1:12 "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."

Gen. 18:14 "Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son."

Ps. 115:3 "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased."

"...Promised he was able also to perform" - poihsai

to make something certain and absolute!

4:22 "therefore it was imputed to him..." - elogisqh

Aor Pass - accounted, reckoned, etc. Result: he was reckoned righteous by God Himself! Rom. 4:3,6

4:23-24 It will be declared to us if we believe as he did, having faith.

4:25 "delivered for our offences" - paredoqh

Rom. 5:6-8; 8:32; Isa. 53:5,6,10-12; 2 Cor. 5:21

"And was raised again for our justification" - the God of the resurrection. The Father completely vindicated (showed that Jesus is God and proved Him innocent of the charges, and that He is the Son of God). He is absolutely perfect! Heb. 7:24-28; I Tim. 2:4-6;

*This truth was important to Abraham in Gen. 22:1-18 where the account of Isaac is given.

"and was raised again"/ hgerqh / Past Pass / Rom. 6:4,9; 8:11,34

WHY? "for our justification"/ act of pronouncing righteous, acquittal /

used 2X in the New Testament / cf. Rom. 5:18

"delivered"/ payment for sin as Savior

"raised"/ proof of His being the Son of God / Rom. 1:4

*SEVEN WORDS FOR SIN IN THE New Testament

1. "for our offenses"/ paraptwmata / trespasses, false step, blunder, deviation from the truth / cf. Eph. 1:7; 2:1,5

2. "sin"/ amartia / missing the mark / shows the heinous character of sin / Rom. 3:9, 23

3. "iniquity"/ anomia / lawlessness, against the law / 2 Thess. 2:3; I John 3:4

4. "unrighteousness"/ adikia / against righteousness or justice with the strong idea of deception or distaste for the truth / Rom. 1:18,29; 2:8; 3:5

5. "disobedience"/ parakoa / unpersuadable, obstinate rejection of God’s will /

Col. 3:6; Eph. 5:6; 2:2

6. "wickedness"/ ponhria / bad, evil, malicious / Acts 3:26

7. "ungodliness"/ asebeia / lack of piety, without reverence for God, lust and desire for evil things / I Tim. 1:9; I Pet. 4:18; 2 Pet. 2:5