A Study of Romans (10)

Abraham

Paul chose Abraham as an example for a couple reasons;

For the Jews because he was the one chosen by God to leave his family in order to become the father of God’s chosen people;

For the Gentiles because the Abrahamic covenant is the basis for salvation;

Paul’s intent is to prove that Abraham was saved by faith and not his actions;

Paul starts with a question of how Abraham was made righteous, while revealing it was “not by flesh” not by his power;

What did Abraham accomplish by fleshly effort? Nothing. What righteousness was awarded him in consequence of fleshly deeds? None. Abraham achieved nothing, earned no standing with God by anything done in the flesh. We must face the truth that no one ever has or ever will.

Picirilli, R. E. (1975). The Book of Romans (p. 67). Nashville, TN: Randall House Publications.

Now flesh, in this context, refers to something more than skin (the physical body), it is referring to anything natural;

Not by works, again Paul is pointing deeds or actions, there is nothing Abraham could have done to earn righteousness;

Scripture collaborates this fact in Genesis 15:6;

Faith is not righteousness nor a substitute therefor. Faith is not a “work” and has no merit. Faith is believing, accepting, trusting God. But faith is man’s activity (not God’s) and faith is the condition required if one is to be counted righteous before God.

Picirilli, R. E. (1975). The Book of Romans (pp. 68–69). Nashville, TN: Randall House Publications.

Grace

Does God owe you a debt, in v. 4 there is explanation of the principle of debt;

The just of this verse shows that God is not in debt to man but rather gives an undeserving grace;

Grace cannot be earned like a paycheck it just doesn’t happen that way, why because then man would be like “Oh look what I can do!”

God does not owe us anything especially the grace of righteousness;

The Book of Romans The Principle of Grace (Verse 4)

The application is obvious and clear: If one earns justification by his deeds, this justification is not of God’s grace, but God owes it in response to man’s works to pay him with justification. That conclusion is preposterous!

Guilt

God is willing to justify the ungodly (sinner) who may not have good works;

No has the right to claim completely innocent works - there is typically a self-desire associated with the action;

So based on this no one could be righteous before God by our own actions;

However faith can bring a sinner to Christ and justification;

The Book of Romans The Principle of Guilt (Verse 5)

Denny, in Expositor’s Greek Testament, puts this well: “It is sometimes argued that God can only pronounce just, or treat as just, those who actually are just; but if this were so, what Gospel would there be for sinful men?… The paradoxical phrase, Him that justifieth the ungodly, does not suggest that justification is a fiction … but that it is a miracle.”

David

Paul now turns to David, the father of the royal family to further his conclusion;

Paul quotes David’s writing in Psalm 32:1-2 to aid in the facts of justification;

David points out the blessing of standing innocent before God totally separated fro your deeds;

David shares the possibility, the award and the blessing are tied to action but rather faith;

Here is how David described justification;

Iniquities forgiven - meaning “lawlessness” and “letting go” - something has to be done with our sin and that something is forgiveness by God;

Sin covered - meaning “missing the mark” and “covered up” - we miss the target but Christ covers us with His blood;

Sin not imputed by the Lord - God will no longer count your sin against you, He sees you through His Son.