One thing is certain, and that is, from the Apostle's argument, there is only one way to

justification for Jew and Gentile, namely the way of faith in Christ's work of redemption.

He asks, do we do away with the law if we stress faith? Paul uses the word law in

more than one sense; sometimes with the definite article and sometimes without it. But

in every sense that he uses it the declaration that law is established, not made void by

faith, is true. If it means the O.T. as a whole, it is true, for justification by faith

contradicts not one of its statements nor is inconsistent with its doctrines or promises. If

it refers to the O.T. typology then these were but shadows of which Christ was the

substance (Heb. 10: 1) and they were fulfilled in Christ, not proved spurious. If it means

the moral law then again this is not weakened by the law of faith, for by it no moral

obligation was weakened or penal sanction disregarded. No, the law is established by

faith, for the O.T. teaches that both Abraham and David were justified gratuitously by

faith and without works on their part.

Having come to this point, the Apostle is now going to give a concrete illustration of

what justification by faith means, and he found in Abraham an excellent example of this

truth. Several N.T. writers refer to Abraham to prove their points of doctrine for the very

good reason that in this man's life all the basic truths of Christianity are illustrated. We

find justification, sanctification, the power of prayer, fellowship with God, consecration,

and the goal of maturity all exhibited in his walk before God. To the Jew, Abraham was

their father and their supreme human example. No more telling practical setting forth of

the foundational doctrine of justification by faith could be made to an Israelite. Thus it is

that the fourth chapter of Romans which follows, shows how faith in God and His

promises forms the very basis of Abraham's life and witness.

The Apostle Paul now proceeds to set forth the case of Abraham and he continues to

use the style of question and answer. If ever there was a man whom the people of Israel

revered it was Abraham, for not only was he their human father, but his character was

such that even God Himself could say:

This was high commendation indeed, and if a man's works could justify him in God's

sight, then Abraham could go further than most. But Paul has clearly shown that even the

best of human beings cannot reach God's standard of perfection by their own efforts: