Romans 4:13-25

1. Background:

In the last three chapters, Paul has written to the early Roman church to conclude that all men are sinners, both Jews and Gentiles alike. All men counted righteous before God by the propitiation of Jesus Christ. Hopefully, by focusing on the Gospel, this argument will alieve the racial stress the early Roman church is facing so they may be able to strengthen their witness to the world for Christ.

2. What Can We Observe About God?

He is a God who brings the dead back to life and creates things from nothing.

 “… before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”

Verse 17

Bible readers can make this observation very early in the Bible story. In creation, we see God’s ability to make everything from nothing only with the power of His word. Later we see God’s power through Elijah bringing the widow’s son back to life again in Lazarus and then ultimately in Jesus Christ. Paul is applying this truth to the context that God can bring about His promises to Abraham even when there was no reason for hope.

“Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.”

Verse 18

Paul argues that Jews should not boast that they are Abraham’s physical descendants and therefore in favor with God. Instead, they should take notice that God imputed righteousness to Abraham’s righteousness through faith. Indeed, Abraham’s boasting wasn’t in the physical attributes that somehow availed himself to righteousness.

“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. “

Verse 3

His old age and the barrenness of Sarah’s womb are the backdrop wherein Abraham believed God and God imputed righteousness. Paul delivers this lesson to the Jews who might be boasting in their physical lineage for salvation. Even Abraham’s redemption did not come about this way; how much more can his children make such claims?

Abraham’s righteousness was God’s work in otherwise impossible circumstances. Abraham believed God could do it and would keep His promises. Paul said, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief” (Verse 17). God counted Abraham as righteous and sinless. “And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness” (Verse 22).

Abraham probably understood very little what God would do to redeem the human race, but God did not require perfect understanding for salvation, only faith. In our situation, God neither requires good works or knowledge of what God will do. He only requires the same thing that He expected of Abraham, belief in God’s promises.

This kind of faith was put to the test when God asked for Isaac’s life. How could God keep His promise if Isaac could not live? The conundrum weighed heavily on Abraham, but he believed that if God could create life from nothing, He could somehow preserve the life of Isaac.

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Hebrews 11:17-19

3. How does this passage point to Jesus and the Gospel?

The direct connection between Abraham’s faith and the Gospel follows in verses 23 through 25, 

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Lessons from Abraham and the Old Testament apply to Christ’s covenant, namely, belief unto forgiveness of all sin and righteousness with God. The promise is clear, “But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.” Our place in the Gospel and Christ’s covenant is the same as Abraham’s and God’s promise. We believe Jesus Christ and God imputes righteousness to us.

4. How do we apply this passage?

If you are an unbeliever, the passage calls for us to look on the cross of Jesus and consider it. Could it be that Jesus did die for sinners on the cross? Could it be that God did raise Him from the dead? If your conclusion is yes, then you can be saved. The conclusion that God did do these things is the drawing work of Jesus of people to Himself.  

If it weren’t for the gospel message, none of us could decide to find God and begin a relationship with Him. He is drawing people to Himself through the cross’s message. The desire to turn to Him is the work of God’s Spirit interacting in your heart, giving you light to understand His purpose with the cross.

If you are a believer, the subthemes of Abraham’s trial will apply to you. The same faith that marks the beginning of our covenant with God will be put on trial as we walk this world. Our “Isaacs” will be required of God. In the interest of preaching the Gospel everywhere, we will be put in positions to trust God where impossibilities loom.  

Do not be so self-centered as to think this passage deals with your own ideas of success and comfort in this world. The Holy Spirit inspired the new testament to guide the church to serve God and get the Gospel to dying people. The truths that teach God’s great trials of faith apply to the lives devoted to Him in service, not to Christians who have yet to understand this world is about Him and not about us.