The Promise Granted Through Faith
Romans 4:13-25
God's promise, Abrahams faith, and its lesson
#faith
Published February 6th, 2017; Updated January 7th, 2018
Main point summary
Arc
Notes
notes
Main point summary
The promise Abraham received was through the righteousness of faith and not of the law, so that the promise might be sure to all who believe. Abraham believed in the promise of almighty God even though their was naturally no hope of the promise to come true. This is written for us too, who receive Gods accredited righteousness because of the Lord Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.
Arc
editing
NT
Romans 4:13-25
nkjv
For the promise
that he would be the * heir of the world
ideaexplanation
was not to Abraham
or to his seed
series
through the law,
actionmanner
but through the righteousness of faith.
negativepositive
For * if those who are of the law are heirs,
[then] faith is made void
and the promise made of no effect,
progression
conditional
because * the law brings about wrath;
for where [or if] there is no law
[then] there is no transgression.
ground
Therefore it is of faith
that it might be * according to grace,
* so that the promise might be sure to all the seed,
not only to those who are of the law,
but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham,
* who (Abraham) is the father of us all
(as it is written,
* “I have made you a father of many nations”)
in the presence of Him whom he believed—God,
* who (God) gives life to the dead
and calls those * things which do not exist
as though they did;
comparison
who (Abraham), contrary to hope, in hope believed,
so that he became the father of many nations,
according to what was spoken,
* “So shall your descendants be.”
actionpurpose
And not being weak in faith,
* he did not consider his own body, already dead
(since he was about a hundred years old),
* and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.
He did not waver at the promise of God
through unbelief,
but was strengthened in faith,
giving glory to God,
and being fully convinced
that what He had promised * He was also able to perform.
And therefore * “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
inference
Now * it was not written for his sake alone
that it was imputed to him,
but also for us.
It shall be imputed to us
who (us) believe * in Him
who (God) raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,
* who (Jesus Christ) was delivered up
because of our offenses,
and * was raised
because of our justification.
Abraham did not to look to himself and his weaknesses. Furthermore, he did not waver at the promise of God, but was strengthened by trusting his infinity glorious God.
discourse
Notes
Verse 13-17: The law shows that everyone continually fails to live up to its demands. That is why it brings about wrath and condemnation. The demands of the law are fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The one who looks to Him by faith receives righteousness freely apart from any efforts of being good. Verse 19: Abraham's faith was not shaken by his age and the natural condition of his and Sarah's body. This teaches that faith does rely on deeper things than feelings and appearance. Faith does not look to "self" for assurance and confidence. Verse 20-22: Abraham looked away from himself to God and His promise. Faith is therefore built on facts about God. In Abraham's case, he was strengthened in faith by thinking and meditating on who God is and that the Almighty is able to perform what He promised. Verse 23-25: Abraham's faith is an example of how we trust God and what God does when we trust Him. Jesus Christ died because of our offenses and was raised from the dead because of our justification. Believe God who did this for you and the charges of the law won't stand against you anymore, furthermore, you receive the righteousness of God. With full assurance, you may say then, that you are complete in Jesus Christ.
Comments
Disclaimer: The opinions and conclusions expressed on this page are those of the author and may or may not accord with the positions of Biblearc or Bethlehem College & Seminary.