What Abraham Experienced Series

Intro

In Romans 3:28 Paul came to this all-important conclusion: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.”i In this context, to be justified means to be declared righteous before God.ii The Greek word translated justified (dikaioo) is a forensic or legal term in which the judge renders a favorable verdict.iii

Throughout Scripture, God is revered as the judge of all humanity (Heb. 12:23). Every human being stands before his righteous court to receive a verdict of either justification or condemnation. Justification is God’s pronouncement of a “not guilty” verdict. When you think about justification, envision a court scene with God as the judge. In court proceedings, everything builds toward the pronouncement of the verdict by the judge. Is the person declared guilty or not guilty? Is the verdict justification or is it condemnation? In our text today, Paul is dealing with the legal side of our salvation: Our standing before God’s court of justice; How we stand before the Judge of All the Earth.

“Therefore we conclude,” says Paul in Romans 3:28, “that a man is justified [declared not guilty] by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” Paul contrasts two ways of being justified: One way is by doing good works (mentioned in Romans 4:2); the other is by faith in Christ’s works. God’s way of justification is “by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” Not by faith and works, but by faith alone—by faith in the work of Christ in our behalf.

In Romans 4 Paul is supporting his argument for justification by faith using Abraham’s experience as recorded in Scripture.

I. Introduction of Abraham into the Discussion (vs 1)

Abraham is introduced into the discussion in verse 1. Follow with me as we read Romans 4:1: “What then [the Greek word oun (then) points us back to the closing verses in chapter 3. The context is justification by faith taught in Romans 3] shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?”

Why does Paul choose Abraham’s experience to prove his point? Abraham was highly esteemed by his readers—not only as the Father of the Jewish nation, but the one through whom the whole world would be blessed.iv He is the epitome of someone right with God—the friend of God.v

Remember in John 8 when Jesus offered the Pharisees spiritual freedom through the truth he was speaking? They rejected his offer claiming status as Abraham’s descendants. When Jesus explained his offer more fully, they were appalled that Jesus claimed to be greater than Abraham. And when Jesus said to them, “before Abraham was, I AM" (John 8:58), they tried to stone Jesus to death.vi The Jewish people gloried in their biological relationship with Abraham. Their esteem for Abraham is evident throughout the Gospel accounts.

If Paul can demonstrate that Abraham was justified by faith, he has taken a major step toward proving his contention that faith, not works, is the means of salvation.vii The Jews claimed to be following in the steps of their forefather (propatop) Abraham.viii If Abraham was justified by faith, then they would need to follow the same method.

But Jewish thought at that time emphasized Abraham’s works. Notice the progression of thought in the Jewish book, The Wisdom of Jesus Ben Sirach 44:19-23:

“Abraham, the great forefather of a host of nations, no one was ever his equal in glory. He observed the Law of the Most High, and entered into a covenant with him. He confirmed the covenant in his own flesh, and proved himself faithful under ordeal. The Lord therefore promised him on oath to bless the nations through his descendants, to multiply him like the dust of the ground, to exalt his descendants like the stars, and give them the land for their inheritance, from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.”ix

Did you notice the emphasis on Abraham’s performance. But Paul, an Old Testament scholar, will show that the true emphasis for justification in Abrham’s life was his faith. Abraham’s performance was a fruit of that faith. In 1 Maccabees 2:52 the emphasis is on Abraham’s faithfulness rather than his faith as a means of justification: “Was not Abraham tried and found faithful, was that not counted as making him just?”x In our text, Paul is correcting this Jewish misunderstanding of Abraham’s justification. As an Old Testament scholar and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he is qualified to do this.

So, Paul begins Romans 4 by asking what Abraham found out by experience: “What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?” Frederic Godet thinks the phrase kata sarka (according to the flesh) qualifies the verb “has found.” He writes, “The flesh denotes here human activity in the state of isolation from the influence of God, and consequently in its natural helplessness so far as justification and salvation are concerned. The meaning is therefore: What has Abraham found by his own labor?” (emphasis Godet’s).xi