5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. Abraham, our father; Romans 4 King James Version Update 4 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? Paul said, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope" ( Romans 15:4 ). By doing this, we fail to embrace the richness of their original meaning and application. follows, that the meaning of the apostle is, that it should be To meet the views of the Jews, the apostle first refers to the example of Abraham, in whom the Jews gloried as their most renowned forefather. Everyone is judged Nulla igitur condemnatio est iis qui sunt in Christo Iesu, qui non secumdum carnem 2. Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? of the fathers"; and so the Alexandrian copy, "our forefather": 23 Now # Rom. Centuries of Christianity have shaped this message for us and, as Christians, we feel like Christmas is an event that has deep and comforting personal significance. Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. Romans 1:3, CSB: "concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh" [⇑ See verse text ⇑] Paul is so eager to begin teaching about the gospel of Jesus Christ that he seems unable to even wait to finish the opening greeting to his letter. nation; and, as the Syriac version here styles him, (athbad avyr) , "the head", or "chief The meaning, therefore, cannot possibly be that the mere act of believing--which is as much a work as any other piece of commanded duty ( John 6:29 , 1 John 3:23 )--was counted to Abraham for all obedience. is indeed no express answer returned; but it is evident from what See also Ephesians 1:15; Colossians 1:4; 1 Timothy 3:13; 2 Timothy 3:15; Romans 3:25. For by the miracles and the resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit it was manifested and confirmed to the … We are used to, especially in the Advent season, hearing about the coming Messiah and how his birth in a manger in Bethlehem signifies salvation for us, Christians. Romans 4 is all about the faith of Abraham. 10:6 it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. phrase, "as pertaining to the flesh", may be connected with the righteousness, and salvation by the mere hint of carnal reason? In the first chapter the Apostle had announced that ‘the righteousness of God’ was revealed in the Gospel, which is on that account the power of God unto salvation to every one that … “our forefather, has … 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 4:1–25 Abraham Justified by Faith 4 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, t our forefather according to the flesh? B) Everyone will be justly prosecuted (Romans 2:5-11). 5:2; Heb. Abraham himself shown to have been justified by faith, and not by works, believers being his true heirs. of Οὖν] Accordingly, in consequence of the fact that we do not abrogate the law through faith, but on the contrary establish it. Thus the OT can be read with profit by any Christian—a fact Paul appeals to later in Romans 8:1-4 1. the sense of the whole is, did he find out the way of life, 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: In Romans 4:1-12, the presupposition is that the essential prophetic continuity of scripture is affected through promise—the promise to Abraham. works of the law; to make this appear more clear and evident to 1 1. word. They were too old (for their ages, see Genesis 17:17). or according to carnal descent, or natural generation and Let’s take a fresh look at this great passage and together let’s gain a greater understanding of its message in light of its context. "what he, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?" and for whom they had the greatest value and esteem. 15:4; 1 Cor. Commentary on Romans 4:1-12. The apostle having proved that there is no justification by the Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, is indeed an invitation to serious faith reflection, a faith reflection that invokes Christians to have a list of the non-negotiables, especially if one has come to allow Jesus in her/his heart and has come to believe 9:28) who was delivered up because of our offenses, and # (Rom. 5:6, 8; 8:32; Gal. who was not a righteous and good man, but the head of the Jewish God declared Abraham righteous because of his faith, not because of his works. Such is the case with Romans 15:4 . There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. acquired by his circumcision in the flesh, or by any other From a physical point of view it was impossible for them to have children. Also that which the apostle said, Declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead [Romans 1:4]. and to find anything is by seeking to obtain, and enjoy it: and [954] Romans 8:1(ISV) Verse Thoughts There is not even the slightest, tiny crumb of condemnation at all those who are in Christ Jesus - those in UNION with Christ – those that have been placed IN Christ at rebirth – those who have been born-again – those that have been sealed by the Spirit - those that have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Throughout this whole argument, faith is set in direct opposition to works, in the matter of justification--and even in Romans 4:4 Romans 4:5. Interpreting Romans 4:1-8: The Theological and Exegetical Contribution of Psalm 32 Thomas R. Schreiner The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky Introduction When we consider the meaning of Rom 4:1-8, it In Romans 4, Paul seeks to show that it was not Abraham’s works that made him righteous before God, but his faith. What shall we say then What then shall we say that Abraham our father according to the flesh hath found? ροῦμεν τὰ ἔργα, What therefore shall we say that Abraham our father hath found, according to the flesh, human nature, in the Fall, as unrenewed and unassisted by Divine special grace. Abraham"s case is significant for Gentiles as well, however, because in another sense, as the father of the faithful, he is … A declaration of righteousness was God's gift, not a payment. In … Continue reading "Commentary on Romans 15:4-13" (Romans 4:1-3 NIV) Paul says that Abraham our forefather discovered two ways to gain a sense of worth: One, Paul suggests, is by works. 2 Through him we have also c obtained access by faith 2 into this grace d in which we stand, and e we 3 rejoice 4 in of Here in Romans 4:10, 11, 12, 13 Paul is explaining the figurative meaning of circumcision as the "cutting off" of Christ from the living via Crucifixion. Romans 4:1 What shall we say then The apostle having proved that there is no justification by the works of the law; to make this appear more clear and evident to the Jews, he instances in the greatest person of their nation, and for whom they had the greatest value and esteem, (Read Romans 1:1-7) The doctrine of which the apostle Paul wrote, set forth the fulfilment of the promises by the prophets. 15:17; 2 Cor. or were these any services and performances of his, of whatsoever kind? This preposition indicates the sphere in which faith moves, rather than the object to which it is directed, though instances occur in the Septuagint where it plainly indicates the direction of faith, Psalm 78:22 ; Jeremiah 12:6 . 11:11-12). By referring to Abraham as "our forefather after the flesh" ( Romans 4:1) Paul revealed that he was aiming these comments at his Jewish readers primarily. found; 4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. It shall be imputed to us who believe # Acts 2:24 in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 # Is. Earlier in Romans Paul had made it clear that Earlier in Romans Paul had made it clear that For what saith the scripture? Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. In doing so, Paul was challenging the Judaism’s central premise—that obedience to the law determined one’s relationship to God (MacArthur). All rights reserved. These two quotations were preached as commentary on Romans 13:1-4, the first quote to Union soldiers, the second to Confederate soldiers. Romans 2:1-11 is divided into two sections: A) Everyone will be prosecuted (Romans 2:1-4). Romans 8:1-4 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. or was he justified before God by 5 a Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, b we 1 have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. fleshly privilege he enjoyed? In Romans 4:5, Paul makes one of the most outrageous claims in all Scripture: “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.”. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. his relation to the Jews, "our father"; that is, as pertaining to the flesh; What Does Romans 7:4 Mean? ROMANS 4:1-25 THIS chapter beautifully connects with all that precedes it. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The Word of God was written to give us hope in this life. whether Jews or Gentiles: now the question put concerning him is, 53:4, 5; (Rom. Proud member understood in the negative. for the and was the first of the circumcision, and is described here by Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. There Romans 4:19 "Dead"=not able to bring forth life (see Heb. Romans 4:1. Salem Media Group. relation; for in a spiritual sense, or with respect to faith and grace, he was the father of others, even of all that believe, This righteousness is available to everyone, circumcised or not. ROMANS 4:1 KING JAMES VERSION (KJV) TRANSLATION, MEANING, CONTEXT To get what Romans 4:1 means based on its source text, scroll down or follow these links for the original scriptural meaning , biblical context and relative popularity. and did he obtain these things by his own strength? Romans 4… Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. Abraham was a man of good works. However exalted in various respects, he had nothing to boast in the presence of God, being saved by … the Jews, he instances in the greatest person of their nation, Both interpreters of this passage sought to morally justify their sides’ involvement in the bloodshed of the American Civil War. 2:20; Eph. 5:18; 1 Cor. It spoke of the Son of God, even Jesus the Saviour, the promised Messiah, who came from David as to his human nature, but was also declared to be the Son of God, by the Divine power which raised him from the dead. God graciously justifies the ungodly sinner who does not work for salvation, but believes in Jesus Christ. Romans 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 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