“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?
If Abraham was justified by works, he would have something to boast about—but not before God.
What does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’” (Romans 4:1-3)
What issue does Romans 4 address? The church in Rome consisted of both Jews and Gentiles. When Paul taught that salvation comes not through the works of the Law but only through faith in Jesus, this must have sounded shocking to the Jewish members.
For those who had observed circumcision for 2,000 years and believed that keeping the Law for 1,500 years was the essence of their faith, hearing that these things did not contribute to salvation at all would have been astonishing. Some might have even considered Paul a heretic, disregarding the long-standing religious traditions of the past 1,500–2,000 years.
So, Paul chose Abraham—the most respected ancestor among the Jews—as an example to persuade them.
Romans 4:1 says: “What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered (or received)?” Paul speaks here as a Jew, addressing Jews from a Jewish perspective.
In the history of Scripture, Abraham plays a very significant role. Through Genesis, we learn about the creation of the world, the fall of humanity, the worldwide flood, and the Tower of Babel—events that affected all of humanity. Suddenly, in Genesis 11, the story shifts focus to one person: Abraham. The rest of Genesis then focuses on his son Isaac, grandson Jacob, and great-grandson Joseph. Essentially, Genesis is the story of Abraham and his descendants.
All of humanity’s story narrows down to the individual patriarchs of the Jewish people. (Genesis 12:1–4)
Why is Abraham so important? Because God used him as the solution to humanity’s problem. Through Abraham, God revealed that He is the one true God and demonstrated how humans can have a relationship with Him.
Romans 4:2 in the Common Translation says:
“If Abraham had been justified by his own works, he would have something to boast about. But he was not justified by works before God.”
Abraham is a clear example that a right relationship with God is obtained **through faith in God, not by one’s own effort**.
All religions in the world can be broadly divided into two types: self-reliant religions and God-reliant religions.
Most religions are self-reliant—they teach that you are saved through your actions and observances. But Christianity, according to the Bible, is a God-reliant religion. Salvation and restored relationship with God come **only by God’s grace**, not by human effort or ability.
Paul says:
“If Abraham was justified by works, he would have something to boast about—but not before God.”
In other religions, if one achieves salvation or reaches a special spiritual state, it is something to boast about because it is accomplished by one’s own effort. But Christians have nothing to boast about:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)
In verse 3, Paul first asks,
“What does the Scripture say?”
This is directed to Jews who had lived their whole lives centered on the Old Testament.
This question carries an important meaning: Paul is asserting that the gospel he preaches is **not a new revelation or personal opinion**, but is grounded in the very Scriptures that they and their ancestors have believed.
He emphasizes that the gospel is based on Scripture:
“This gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son.” (Romans 1:2)
“But now apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile.” (Romans 3:21–22)
Another meaning is to challenge them: even though they study Scripture and take pride in their knowledge of it, **do they truly understand what it says?** Studying and believing Scripture for many years does not guarantee understanding of its core message.
“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
This refers to Genesis 15:
“The LORD took Abram outside and said, ‘Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:5–6)
What did Abraham believe? God reminded Abraham of His promise: that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars, that he would become a great nation and a source of blessing, and that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through him.
But how did Abraham become a great nation, a source of blessing, and a channel of blessing to all nations? Did it happen during his lifetime? No.
“Through your offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed.” (Genesis 22:18)
“And the promises were spoken to Abraham and his seed. The Scripture does not say ‘and to seeds,’ meaning many, but ‘and to your seed,’ meaning one, who is Christ.” (Galatians 3:16)
God fulfilled His promise to Abraham **through Jesus Christ**.
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ He redeemed us so that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promised Spirit.” (Galatians 3:13–14)
The countless stars God showed Abraham symbolize not only his physical descendants but also the **spiritual descendants**—all those who would be saved through faith in Christ.
In this sense, Abraham is the father not only of those under the Law but also of those who share his faith. Abraham also believed in Jesus Christ:
“Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” (John 8:56)
“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
This is the only place in the Old Testament where this phrase appears, and the context is significant.
Before encountering God directly, what was Abraham’s situation?
Ten years after leaving Haran, he traveled 600 km to Shechem, but soon left. He moved to Bethel but could not settle. He faced tensions from the Canaanites, pressures, threats, and even fear for his life. He went to Egypt during a famine but suffered humiliation when he lied about Sarah, fearing for his life. He had to separate from Lot, endure battles, and experience loneliness and betrayal.
After ten years, Abraham was 85 and growing old, yet God had still not given him a promised son. The signs of fulfillment seemed absent. He had no heir, no ownership of Canaan, and could not see the future clearly. Yet God appeared to him. When God said, “Do not be afraid,” it shows Abraham was indeed fearful.
Genesis 15: “Abram, do not be afraid. I am your shield, your reward will be very great.”
But Abraham questioned: “O Lord my God, what will you give me? I remain childless...” (15:2–3)
Even then, God took him outside, showed him the stars, and promised: “So shall your offspring be.” Abraham believed, and it was credited as righteousness (15:6).
Notice this was **faith in the midst of doubt and fear**, not perfect, unwavering faith. Later, in Genesis 16, Abraham acted impatiently and had Ishmael through Hagar. Can we call him a man of faith? Yes—because God credits righteousness to faith, not perfection.
God acknowledged Abraham’s faith **despite human weakness**. Justification is not based on perfect obedience, but on clinging to God’s promises. Even amid doubt, despair, and imperfection, salvation is found in **trusting God’s faithfulness, not our own**.
Paul reminds us:
“If Abraham was justified by works, he would have something to boast about—but not before God.” (Romans 4:2)
Being justified before God and having something to boast about cannot coexist. Nothing we can do earns salvation.
“Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By the law of works? No, but by the law of faith.” (Romans 3:27)
Even in human weakness, despair, and failure, God acknowledged Abraham’s faith. This is a great comfort. Justification before God does not depend on unwavering courage or perfect obedience.
Faith that is credited as righteousness extends beyond salvation to **our daily lives**. We may feel despair, disappointment, and frustration—personal dreams fail, church expectations collapse, and our community may fragment. It seems we can trust nothing.
Yet, if the vision belongs to God, not humans, His faithfulness ensures that He will not abandon us but will accomplish His purposes.
Abraham is not great; his faith is not inherently great. **God is great**, and it is His faithfulness that upheld Abraham.
We must, like Abraham, trust God’s voice: “Look at the stars; your descendants will be as numerous.” Even if we do not see the fruit ourselves, God will accomplish His purpose through us. Our hope rests not in our faith but in God’s faithfulness.
