ABRAHAM AND DAVID JUSTIFIED BY 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) Abraham was the forefather of Israel. Was he justified before God by his faith or by his works? Paul quotes Genesis 15:6, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Abraham believed God's unrealistic promise that he would have a child and his offspring would be as numerous as the stars. God was pleased with Abraham's faith. Without faith, we can't please God (Heb 11:6). Abraham was not justified by his works but by his faith and trust in God's word. 2. David's faith (6-8) David also testifies to this saving faith in Psalm 32 (take one minute to read it). David found the blessing of forgiveness of sin not by doing good works, but by acknowledging and confessing his sin (Ps 32:5). He too was justified and forgiven when he simply came to God in faith and trust.

Prayer: Lord, I come to you as I am, a sinner, trusting in Jesus alone for forgiveness and new life. I thank and praise the living, forgiving God.

One Word: God justifies the one who trusts in Jesus