Romans 4:1-5 NKJV – 1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has [something] to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
V1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?
Paul is writing this part to the Jews, that is, according to the flesh. Abraham is the father of the nation of Israel. The Greek word found is (G2147) εὑρίσκω heuriskō, which means looking for something and finding it. It can refer without or with search even accidentally discovering something. Abraham found salvation. He found it not in any ritual or obedience to any idol, but to the Creator—Jesus Christ. Did Abraham find salvation by obeying Mosaic Law? No! That law was given at Mt. Sinai over 400 years later. There was no circumcision required either, that came later for Abraham (Genesis 17:10).
V2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has [something] to boast about, but not before God.
Abraham was not saved from God’s wrath, justified, and reconciled to the Creator by what he did. If so, then he could brag that he justified himself. Compare Galatians 6:13-14.
V3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
The authority for what we believe and practice is the Scriptures interpreted in its plain, normal sense. Abraham believed. Then and only then was he accepted by God. Jesus paid the penalty and set the condition for justification. That condition is faith, believing God.
We cannot be righteous by our works—Ecclesiastes 7:20, Isaiah 64:6, and Matthew 5:20.
We can be righteous by faith in Jesus Christ alone—Hebrews 11:6, Hebrews 10:38, and Philippians 3:8-9 (MSB) “More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.”
V4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
Any “good” works that Abraham did or I did are not faith. They are an exchange. I do the good work for God for Him to pay me with salvation. God rewards my good works with my salvation. The Bible clearly teaches that “good” works do NOT save anyone. No one is good.
V5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.
Faith is not a work. Salvation is not because of good works. No one is good. No one can save themselves. No one can earn God’s favor by obedience. Works do not justify anyone.
The condition for salvation, as decreed by God, is faith, believing in His Son only.
The Him here refers to Jesus. Only God can justify. Faith is what brings salvation.
All are ungodly—Romans 3:22-24 (MSB) “And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all and upon all who believe. There is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
The Greek word for accounted is (G3049) λογίζομαι logízomai, which means to count or consider. It is to impute, that is, (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition): “To relate (something, usually something bad) to a particular cause or source; place the fault or responsibility for: synonym: attribute.”
We learn:
- What I do cannot bring justification.
- Faith is not a work.
- Only by faith in Jesus Christ can one be justified.
Questions:
- Do you believe in Jesus alone for salvation?
- Do you understand that what we do fails to impute salvation?