NGH BIBLE STUDY – ROMANS – OUTLINE #8
The Picture of Abraham’s Faith (Romans 4:1-12)
To prove his point that Justification is through faith, now works, Paul draws on two old testament examples in these 12 verses to demonstrate that even in the Old Testament, righteousness was never imparted based on works. He speaks of Abraham in verses Rm 4:1-2,3-4,5 and shows that Abraham’s righteousness was based on the fact that he “believed God”. Then he quotes David’s writings in verses Rm 4:7-8 to describe the blessedness of the man who enjoyed forgiveness and atonement, and one to whom the Lord would not impute iniquity. In the last part of this section from verses Rm 4:9-10,11,12 he points out that Abraham’s reckoning of righteousness predated his circumcision – demonstrating that righteousness did not come from that ceremonial act.
Outline
Rm 4:1-2,3-4,5 – Abraham was not justified by works – he believed God and was reckoned righteous
· Paul points to scripture – not tradition – he quotes Genesis 15:6 “He believed in the Lord and he counted it to him for righteousness”
· Introduces the concept of “reckoning” or “accounting” – righteousness is “credited” or “reckoned” to an individual on the basis of faith
Rm 4:6-8 – David describes the blessedness of forgiveness
· David is quoted as a man who was immensely grateful that he didn’t stand on works – the quotation is from Psalm 32:1-2 – one of two Psalms (along with Psalm 51) giving us insight of David’s experience of restoration after his terrible sin with Bathsheba.
Rm 4:9-10,11,12 – Abraham was Justified BEFORE circumcision
· Paul is careful to point out that David was declared righteous (in Genesis 15) prior to circumcision being introduced (in Genesis 17). Circumcision was the SIGN of what had already taken place – not the SOURCE of righteousness with God.
Key Points/Questions for Discussion
- Verses Rm 4:4-5 make a clear distinction between “working, wages or debt” on the one hand and “grace and faith” on the other hand. How is this principle important in light of the NT teaching of salvation? Is this only applicable to the original basis on which we were saved? Or is the principle equally valid in terms of how we live our Christian lives?
- Why would Paul use Abraham and David as examples to make his point? Is the basis of salvation (righteousness with God) the same in the OT and NT or different?
- The quotation from Psalm 32 talks about the blessedness that comes from forgiveness. It lists three elements of forgiveness – sins being forgiven, sins being covered (a provision is made for them), and sins are not counted to the individual. Are all three aspects of forgiveness still applicable in our understanding of salvation today?
- The Lord tells a parable in Luke 7:41-42,43 about two people with debts to a master who were forgiven – one a relatively small debt and one an overwhelmingly large debt – and the Lord asks the question “who would love him more”? Simon correctly answers “the one who had the bigger debt forgiven” – and the Lord says he answers correctly. How does this parable relate to the truth of Psalm 32. How can/should it relate to each of us?
- The final section deals with the danger of having a “symbol” of something become more significant in our thinking and practice than the substance behind it. Are there examples of ways in which this danger can be manifest in our behaviour today?