Romans 4:1-8

A Gift vs. A Debt (vv. 1-5)

Whereas the latter part of chapter 3 focuses on Moses, chapter 4 transitions to Abraham -> asking what he has found concerning justification by faith, not the Law

Abraham predates the Law and therefore takes precedent over it

v. 2 poses a hypothetical situation that did not happen, as verified by the scriptures

Abraham did not boast because he had nothing to boast about -> what do the scriptures say? (Gen. 15:1-6)

Abraham was paid (credited/counted) something, but the payment was not something he could boast about

He had faith in God, which is entirely unimpressive -> trusting someone else to do something for you is not boast-worthy (especially when that somebody is God - Jer. 32:17,27)

vv. 4-5 explains how transactions work and tells us the type of transaction that justification is

Justification is not a repayment of a debt, but the giving of a gift

You don’t need righteousness to be saved, you just need faith -> the righteousness is a gift that will be given to you!

Blessed is the Forgiven (vv. 6-8)

It is a good thing that we are not paid what we are owed -> the wages of our sin is death (Rom. 6:23)

This is mercy, and God has great mercy!

vv. 6-8 introduce and reference the Psalms to further prove this point

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven!

Our sins are plenteous and horrendous, yet God forgives them -> sin disgraces Him, mars His image bearers, and mars His creations

Blessed are those whose sins are covered!

Sins are not swept under a rug, but paid for by the blood of Christ

Blessed is the one in whom the Lord will not impute sin!

Your sin is ripe for the punishing, and God instead offers righteousness

To be made right with God is the greatest blessing of all (Ps. 32)!