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The Book of Romans, Part 10 – “Faith Counted as Righteousness”

[Study Aired August 29, 2023]

Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 
Rom 4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Rom 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Rom 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 
Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Rom 4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 
Rom 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: 
Rom 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 
Rom 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Rom 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 
Rom 4:23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 
Rom 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 
Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

In these verses, Paul intertwines the concepts of faith, the law and God’s promises, using Abraham’s life as a type and shadow of the power of faith. The message is clear: righteousness and salvation come through faith in God’s promises, rather than adherence to the law.

Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 
Rom 4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Rom 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Here, Paul highlights that the promise of inheritance and blessing to Abraham and his descendants was not based on adherence to the law, but rather on the righteousness that comes from faith. The promise was not tied to observance of the law, but to a trust-based relationship with God. The law exposes mankind’s shortcomings and sins, bringing about God’s righteous wrath. Where there is no law, there is no clear violation, but the law reveals our need for redemption.

Rom 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 
Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Paul reaffirms that the promise is based on faith and by grace, ensuring its accessibility to all who believe, not just those bound by the law. Abraham’s faith serves as a model for all believers, making him a spiritual father to many. Paul quotes from Genesis, emphasizing God’s power to fulfill His promises. Abraham believed in God’s ability to bring life even from the dead, foreshadowing the resurrection and underscoring God’s ability to accomplish the seemingly impossible.

Genesis 15:5 And he (God) brought him (Abram) forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

Genesis 17:4-5 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

Genesis 17:15-16 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

In the narrative of Abraham and Sarah, a transformation occurs as their names are changed by God. This symbolism echoes a broader theme of transition that encompasses all believers. Just as Abraham and Sarah’s identities were altered, signifying their divine calling, our journey involves a shift from the Law of Moses to the Law of Christ.

The alteration of their names mirrors our own spiritual process. In Genesis 17:5, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham, foretelling his role as “a father of many nations.” Similarly, in Genesis 17:15, Sarai’s name becomes Sarah, a symbol of her destiny to be a mother of nations.

This name-changing principle extends to our spiritual transformation. Just as their identities were redefined, we undergo a transition from the carnal Law of Moses to the spiritual Law of Christ. This transition is illuminated in Matthew 5:17-18, where Jesus declares that He came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it. Galatians 3:24-26 reinforces this shift, explaining how the law was a tutor leading us to Christ, enabling us to be justified by faith.

Mat 5:17-18 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 

Gal 3:24-26 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Abraham and Sarah’s story serves as a prelude to the shift from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. The Law of Moses, with its regulations, changes into the Law of Christ, founded on love, grace and faith. This transformation is echoed in Hebrews 8:6, highlighting the superiority of the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ.

Heb 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

In essence, their narrative foreshadows the broader transition that unfolds for all believers—a change from the confines of the Old Covenant to the freedom and fulfillment found in the New Covenant under the guidance of Christ’s transformative doctrines.

The following verses highlight Abraham’s unwavering faith, his refusal to doubt despite the circumstances of his age and Sarah’s barrenness. His strong faith was characterized by giving glory to God and being fully convinced of God’s ability to fulfill His promises.

Rom 4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 
Rom 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: 
Rom 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Rom 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Abraham stands as a model for us, illustrating the path of faithfulness we are to follow. It is incumbent upon us to embrace the Word of God, placing our trust in His faithfulness to bring His work to completion.

Heb 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Rom 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Genesis 15:4-6 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Rom 4:23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 
Rom 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 
Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

In these verses, Paul intertwines the concepts of faith, the law and God’s promises, using Abraham’s life as an illustration of the power of faith. The message is clear: righteousness and salvation come through faith in God’s promises, rather than adherence to the law.

If we have the faith of Christ within us our faith is counted as righteousness.

Here are the verses for our next study:

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 
Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 
Rom 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 
Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 
Rom 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 
Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.