The Confidence of Romans IV

Romans 4:1 … "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?"

The main object of this chapter is to show that the doctrine of justification by faith, which the Apostle Paul was defending, was also found in the Old Testament.

The question might still be asked, as to whether this justification ... was because of their being circumcised in conformity to the Law. To answer this, Paul shows us that Abraham was justified by faith even before he was circumcised; therefore if we were justified by works, faith then would be of no use; and the promises of God would have no effect.

Because Abraham was justified by faith, and not by the works of the law; his faith was imputed or counted unto him for righteousness. Since Abraham was justified by faith, while he was in an uncircumcised state, before the law was given; salvation must also be for the Gentiles as well as the Jews.

Romans 4:13-14 … "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. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect … "

If the Jews ... who are under the law, are seeking righteousness by the works of the law and their obedience to the law; if they by works only should be made heirs of the "promise" … then faith is made void. For if the right to the inheritance is by the works of the law, there is no room left for faith; and the promise is made void and of no effect.

If salvation is by works, there is no purpose then for God to promise; or therefore no purpose for men to believe; for the thing promised would no longer depend upon God's promise, but upon man's obedience to the law; which would then necessarily make void the promise of God.

If people are justified by the Law … if they are "acceptable" to God by conformity to the institutions of Moses, the law; then they can not depend on any promise made to Abraham, or his seed. They cut themselves off from all the promises that come through faith, and stand on their own works, independent from faith; and that's not a good place to be.

This is as true now as it was then. If people seek to be justified by depending on their morality or a form of works, they can not depend then on any promise or covenant with God. It is clear, therefore, that such an attempt at salvation can not be successful.

Romans 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 …"

God appointed "faith" to be the condition of the promise. The promise is secured, not through obedience to the law, but through faith by grace … and so the promise is sure to all the seed … to all … both Jews and Gentiles have a right to all the blessings contained in the covenant made to Abraham; for the promise was given to Abraham while he was a Gentile.

The promise of the inheritance could not be annulled by the law that came after it; for it is by faith and of grace alone, making it sure to all believers, to all of the seed of Abraham.

Romans 4:18 … "Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken …"

How did Abraham believe in hope? "Hope" … is a primary word which means to anticipate with an expectation or confidence.

The Amplified reads this way … "For Abraham, human reason for hope being gone, hoped in faith …"

We could say it this way … "without reason for any expectation of this promise being fulfilled in the natural, Abraham anticipated with confidence, and did not weaken in faith." (My translation)

Romans 4:20 … "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God …"

There is no reason to stagger at, or hesitate about any of the promises of God, since they are made by the One who cannot lie; the One that is faithful to perform them; the One whose promises have never failed ... and yet most of us still stagger at the promises of God.

Abraham did not stagger, for he … "was strong in faith" … nothing moved him, no difficulties discouraged him; even when he considered the age of his flesh. He just left it up to God.

Romans 4:21 … "And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."

He had not only faith, but full assurance of faith, that what God had promised, God was also able to perform; being fully persuaded that it would be as God had said. Abraham's confidence was this, that 1.) The truth of God … bound God … to His promise; and 2.) The power of God would enable Him to fulfill it.

This statement shows us how Abraham hoped on in faith, believing the promise God gave him. Faith and hope brought him confidence, even with all human reason for hope being gone.

"God is bound" … to His Word of promise to fulfill it, and because He is Truth … only "truth" can ever proceed from Him.

Abraham's confidence comes down to this … "that the truth of God" … since He can be nothing less, bound God to fulfill His promise to him; therefore God could do nothing less or He wasn't God; and he was confident that God had the power and ability to perform it.

I have tried to say three different ways … that God's own truthfulness binds Him and obligates Him to fulfill all of His promises to believers … believers who are like Abraham … those who without any other reason for any expectation of God's promises being fulfilled in the natural, anticipate with confidence, and do not weaken in faith … just because God said it.

That's why Abraham could "hope in faith." He knew "God is bound" to His Word.

We need to know and believe that also.


Comments welcome.