For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarahs womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. ~ Romans 4:13-25, ESV -------------------------------------- Rom. 3:21–5:21 Having conclusively proved the universal sinfulness of man and his need for righteousness (1:18–3:20), Paul develops the theme he introduced in 1:17, i.e., God has graciously provided a righteousness that comes from him on the basis of faith alone (3:21–5:21). Rom. 4:13–15 Just as Abraham was not justified by the rite of circumcision (vv. 9–12), neither was he justified by keeping the Mosaic law (vv. 13–15). Rom. 4:13 promise . . . heir of the world. This refers to Christ and is the essence of the covenant God made with Abraham and his descendants (see notes on Gen. 12:3; cf. Gen. 15:5; 18:18; 22:18). The final provision of that covenant was that through Abraham’s descendants all the world would be blessed (Gen. 12:3). Paul argues that “his descendants” refers specifically to Christ and that this promise really constituted the gospel (Gal. 3:8, 16; cf. John 8:56). All believers, by being in Christ, become heirs of the promise (Gal. 3:29; cf. 1 Cor. 3:21–23). not . . . through the law. That is, not as a result of Abraham’s keeping the law. righteousness of faith. Righteousness received from God by faith (see note on Rom. 1:17). Rom. 4:14 adherents of the law. If only those who perfectly keep the law—an impossibility—receive the promise, faith has no value. promise is void. Making a promise contingent on an impossible condition nullifies the promise (see note on v. 13). Rom. 4:15 law brings wrath. By exposing man’s sinfulness (cf. 7:7–11; Gal. 3:19, 24). Rom. 4:16 on faith. Justification is through faith alone (see notes on Rom. 1:16–17 and 3:24). may rest on grace. But the power of justification is God’s great grace (see note on 1:5), not man’s faith. promise. See note on 4:13. the adherent of the law. Believing Jews. one who shares the faith of Abraham. Believing Gentiles. father of us all. See note on 4:11. Rom. 4:17 as it is written. Quoted from Gen. 17:5. gives life to the dead. Abraham had experienced this firsthand (Heb. 11:11–12; cf. Rom. 4:19). calls into existence the things that do not exist. This is another reference to the forensic nature of justification. God can declare believing sinners to be righteous even though they are not, by imputing his righteousness to them, just as God made or declared Jesus “sin” and punished him, though he was not a sinner. Those whom he justifies, he will conform to the image of his Son (Rom. 8:29–30). Rom. 4:18–25 Having shown that justification is through faith, not works (vv. 1–8), and that it is by grace, not the keeping of law (vv. 9–17), Paul now concludes by showing that it results from divine power, not human effort (vv. 18–25). Rom. 4:18 hope . . . against hope. From the human perspective, it seemed impossible (cf. v. 19). Cf. Gen. 17:5. as he had been told. Quoted from Gen. 15:5. Rom. 4:19 weaken in faith. When doubt erodes one’s confidence in God’s word. the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. She was only 10 years younger than Abraham (Gen. 17:17), 90 years old (well past childbearing age), when they received the promise of Isaac. Rom. 4:20 the promise. Of the birth of a son (Gen. 15:4; 17:16; 18:10). gave glory to God. Believing God affirms his existence and character and thus gives him glory (cf. Heb. 11:6; 1 John 5:10). Rom. 4:22 That is why. Because of his genuine faith (see Gen. 15:6). Rom. 4:23 not . . . for his sake alone. All Scripture has universal application (cf. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16–17), and Abraham’s experience is no exception. If Abraham was justified by faith, then all others are justified on the same basis. Rom. 4:25 A paraphrase of the LXX (Greek translation of the OT) rendering of Isa. 53:12. Perhaps these words were adapted to and quoted from an early Christian confession or hymn. delivered up. I.e., crucified. for our justification. The resurrection provided proof that God had accepted the sacrifice of his Son and would be able to be just and yet justify the ungodly. ~ ESV MacArthur Study Bible
Posted on: Wed, 04 Dec 2013 01:00:01 +0000