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So what shall we say about Abraham, our physical forefather?

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For if Abraham was justified by his works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

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For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

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Now to the one who works, the wage is not counted as a gift, but as what is due.

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But to the one who does not work, yet believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.

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Just as David also speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

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“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;

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blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not count against him.”

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Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.

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In what condition was it counted? Before or after he was circumcised? Not after circumcision, but before it.

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And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that comes by faith, which he had while still uncircumcised. So he became the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness might be counted to them,

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and also the father of the circumcised, that is, not only those who are circumcised, but also those who walk in the footsteps of the faith of Abraham our forefather, which he had while still uncircumcised.

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For the promise to Abraham and to his offspring that he would inherit the world did not come through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

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For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified.

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For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law, there is also no transgression.

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For this reason it is by faith, so that it may be by grace, in order that the promise may be sure to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. For Abraham is the father of us all,

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as it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations”—in the presence of God in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist.

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Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed, so that he would become the father of many nations, according to what had been spoken: “So shall your offspring be.”

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His faith did not weaken, though he knew that his body was already very weak, since he was about a hundred years old, and that Sarah’s womb was closed.

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Yet with respect to the promise of God he did not waver through unbelief, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,

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being fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised.

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Therefore this was credited to him as righteousness.

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Now the words, “it was credited to him,” were written not for Abraham’s sake alone,

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but also for us; for it will be credited to us also, who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

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who was delivered up because of our trespasses and raised because of our justification.

📖 Romans 4 – Abraham Justified by Faith, Not by Works

🧾 Summary of the Content

In Romans 4, Paul presents Abraham as proof that justification comes through faith, not through the law or good works. Abraham was justified by God before he was circumcised, showing that faith is more important than outward signs. This passage explains that salvation is a gift, and it is for all who believe, both Jews and Gentiles.

✨ Explanation by Section

1. Abraham Justified by Faith, Not by Works (Verses 1–8)

“If Abraham was justified by his works, he has something to boast about; but not before God.” (Romans 4:2)

• Abraham is called righteous because of his faith, not because of his works.
• If salvation were by human effort, it would not be grace.
• Paul quotes Psalm 32:1–2 about the blessedness of the one whose sins are forgiven.

💡 Lesson: No one can boast before God. Justification is a gift, not a wage.

2. Justification for the Circumcised and the Uncircumcised (Verses 9–12)

• Abraham was justified before he was circumcised, meaning circumcision is not a requirement for salvation.
• He is the father of believers, both the circumcised (Jews) and the uncircumcised (Gentiles).
• Circumcision was only the seal of the righteousness he already had through faith.

💡 Lesson: Our spiritual identity does not depend on outward symbols, but on faith in the Lord.

3. The Promise to Abraham Was Because of Faith (Verses 13–25)

“For the promise to Abraham and his offspring was not given through the law…” (Romans 4:13)

• The promise to Abraham — to become heir of the world — was not given on the basis of law, but because of faith.
• The law only brings wrath because it makes sin known, but faith brings grace and assurance.
• Abraham kept believing even though he was advanced in years — his faith did not waver, and because of that he was justified.
• Paul concludes that we too will be justified if we believe in God who raised Jesus from the dead.

💡 Lesson: Steadfast faith in God’s promise brings justification and hope.

📘 Main Teaching of Romans 4

1. Abraham was justified by faith, not by works or the law.
2. Salvation is a gift, not the result of effort.
3. Circumcision or outward symbols do not save — it is faith that saves.
4. Faith makes us spiritual children of Abraham.
5. Believing in Christ’s resurrection is the basis of our salvation.

✨ Spiritual Meaning of Romans 4

This chapter emphasizes that faith is the heart of our relationship with God. We do not need to seek justification through human effort, ritual, or tradition. We only need to trust fully in God as Abraham did even when the situation seemed impossible; steadfast faith in God’s promise becomes the foundation for a true spiritual life.