Romans 4:1-25

2. Proof from the case of Abraham, that Righteousness is by Faith.

The principle of faith, as the universal one, does not make void the law. In the truest sense it is by this principle that ‘we establish the law' (chap. Romans 3:31). As regards Abraham himself, the ancestor of the Jews (Romans 4:1), the Scripture teaches that he was justified by faith (Romans 4:2-5); this accords with what David says of free forgiveness (Romans 4:6-8) as well as with the fact that Abraham was justified while yet uncircumcised, and thus became the father of believers, uncircumcised and circumcised alike (Romans 4:9-12); furthermore the promise of the inheritance of the world came through the righteousness of faith, not through the law (Romans 4:13-17). This is further set forth by a description of Abraham's faith in God's omnipotence (Romans 4:18-22); the whole matter being applied to the case of all believers in Christ (Romans 4:23-25). Comp. throughout the similar argument in Galatians 3.