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the law worketh wrath where the flesh is concerned. Faith is always associated with
grace: "Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace." Grace alone can make
anything sure, for the flesh of man is weak and untrustworthy. "To the end the promise
may be sure." Let us not omit the place that the Word has in all this: "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" (Rom. 4: 18). What God had promised,
Abraham believed. The same was true of Sarah: "She judge Him faithful who had
promised" (Heb. 11: 11).
Again, in Rom. 4: 17 the promise to Abraham is introduced by the words: "As it is
written." This is a truth for all time, and cannot be uttered too often, that: "Faith cometh
by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10: 17).
If we believe.
The apostle draws to a conclusion, telling us that these things were not written for
Abraham's sake alone, but for us also "if we believe".
"The gospel is the power of God to every one that believeth" (Rom. 1: 16).
"The righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ is unto all them that believe"
(Rom. 3: 22).
"He is just and the Justifier of him which believeth (is of the faith of) Jesus"
(Rom. 3: 26).
"Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Rom. 4: 3).
"It shall also be counted to us if we believe" (Rom. 4: 24).
"Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" (Rom. 10: 4).
"With the heart man believeth unto righteousness" (Rom. 10: 10).
"Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Heb. 11: 6).
"Ant they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Rom. 8: 6).
In addition to the Word, faith is closely associated with resurrection. This is evident
in Gen. 15: 6, for the one who believed was "as good as dead". Rom. 4: defines
Abraham's faith as faith in "God Who quickeneth the dead". The faith that justifies now
is the same:--
"It shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the
dead" (Rom. 4: 24).
"If thou shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt
be saved" (Rom. 10: 9).
Rom. 4: 4-25 had been one long exposition of Gen. 15: 6. The heads under which
this exposition may be profitably studied or brought before others are:--
Gen. 15: 6 in
Rom. 4: 4-25.
1. The negative.--How Abraham was not justified.
(1:) Not by works (Rom. 4: 4-8).
(2:) Not be circumcision (Rom. 4: 9-12).
(3:) Not by law (Rom. 4: 13-16).
2. The positive.--How Abraham was justified.