SAVING FAITH

Passage: Romans 4:1-8

Key verse: 5

NIV

Abraham Justified by Faith

4 What then shall we say(A) that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh,(B) discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.(C) 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[a](D)

4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift(E) but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.(F) 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”[b](G)

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Footnotes
  1. Romans 4:3 Gen. 15:6; also in verse 22
  2. Romans 4:8 Psalm 32:1,2
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Abraham Justified by Faith

4 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, (A)our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but (B)not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? (C)“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now (D)to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but (E)believes in[a] him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7 (F)“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
    and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not (G)count his sin.”

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Footnotes
  1. Romans 4:5 Or but trusts; compare verse 24
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Abraham's faith (1-5)

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. What does it mean to have faith? Abraham's faith is the kind of faith God accepts. Abraham was justified by faith. He believed God, and his faith was credited to him as righteousness. God did not accept him because he was naturally good or because he did some good work that earned God's approval. He simply believed God. To be credited as righteous means to be forgiven and cleansed of sin, and to be made right with God.

2. David's faith (6-8)

David also believed in God who forgives sinners. David was blessed--not because he was a king, or because he was a victorious general, or because he was popular, or because he was a talented musician and poet. He was happy because he knew that God forgave his sins. Repentance before God and faith in Jesus is the secret of a happy and blessed life.

Prayer: Lord, teach me the simple, trusting faith of David and Abraham.

One Word: God forgives sinners who believe