Comprehensive Doctrine of Justification (18)
[Romans 4:9-17]
We are contemplating nine sub-themes under the overarching theme of "Comprehensive Doctrine of Justification": (1) "The Necessity of Justification." Due to everyone having sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23), absolute justification is required for "all people." (2) "The Originator of Justification." The originator of justification is God the Father. He is declared righteous (v. 2). (3) "The Foundation of Justification." The foundation of justification is exclusively Jesus Christ. God the Father justifies sinners based on the atoning sacrifice and propitiation of Jesus Christ. (4) "The Method of Justification." We receive the justification provided by God the Father through faith alone (v. 22). (5) "The Universality of Justification." As God the Father is righteous, everything He does is fair. Therefore, there is no discrimination in the "righteousness of God" (justification) given to "all who believe" in Jesus Christ (v. 22). (6) "The Purpose of Justification." The dual purpose of justification is to manifest that God is righteous and to justify those who believe in Jesus (v. 26). (7) "The Exemplification of Justification." Apostle Paul used Abraham as an example of justification.
Let’s look at Romans 4:13 – “It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.” Abraham's righteousness, or being justified, is mentioned in Genesis 15:6, as it is quoted in Romans 4:3 - "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." In other words, the reason Abraham received righteousness from God was not because of any actions he took (such as keeping the law) that would earn him righteousness through merit. Instead, he received righteousness solely through faith in God (Gen. 15:5; Rom. 4:3). To be more specific, Abraham did not receive righteousness from God by observing the law and undergoing circumcision; rather, he received righteousness solely through faith in God. Abraham received righteousness from God at the age of 85 (Gen. 15:6), and 14 years later, at the age of 99, he underwent circumcision (17:1, 10, 23, 24). Reflecting on this fact, when contemplating Abraham's story, it becomes evident that he received righteousness through faith in God's love and complete grace. As one justified by faith, Abraham responded with a heart of gratitude to God's love and grace by obediently following God's command and undergoing circumcision. In other words, Abraham received righteousness through faith and, as one justified by faith, he also underwent circumcision. This principle extends not only to "Abraham" but also to "his descendants" (Rom. 4:13), who receive justification solely through faith in God, not by observing the law. The covenant mentioned in verse 13, where it says, "the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world," is based solely on the righteousness that comes through faith, not on adherence to the law. In this context, the term "heir of the world" refers to the land of Canaan in Abraham's case. More broadly, it can be understood as inheriting the rich blessings of this land. However, this inheritance is not limited to worldly possessions; it also includes heavenly blessings. For example, the covenant made by God with us, the Christians who believe in Jesus Christ, the descendant of Abraham in faith, promises the true Promised Land—the eternal life and all spiritual blessings of the heavenly kingdom.
Look at Romans 4:14-15: “For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified. For the law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.” In these verses, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the point he made in verse 13, stating that if inheritance comes through the law, then faith is meaningless, and the promise is void. He argues that reliance on the law for righteousness makes faith empty, and the promise is consequently nullified. Paul also asserts that the law incites wrath, as even those who strive to keep it inevitably fall short, resulting in divine displeasure. Look at Galatians 3:10 – "For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.'" This verse reinforces the idea that anyone seeking salvation through adherence to the law is under a curse, as the law demands perfect obedience, and failure in any aspect incurs a curse. The quotation highlights the requirement of continuous adherence to all aspects of the law. The commentary then discusses the purpose of God giving the law. It clarifies that God did not give the law for people to attain righteousness and salvation through it but to make them aware of their sins. The intention is to lead people to faith in Jesus Christ for righteousness and salvation. The discussion also touches on the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai and the establishment of the covenant with the sprinkling of blood. The author draws a parallel between the blood of animal sacrifices in the Old Testament and the blood of Jesus, emphasizing the latter as the ultimate and effective sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.
Look at Romans 4:16 - "Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all." The Apostle Paul is stating that being an heir as a demonstration of righteousness, exemplified by Abraham and his descendants, does not come from the efforts of keeping the law. Instead, it is solely through the gift given by God's grace without any cost (v. 16) and is acquired only by faith. Therefore, Paul declares that Abraham is the ancestor of all believers, emphasizing that this status is not dependent on the observance of the law (v. 16).
Therefore, as justified individuals who have received the righteousness through faith, just like the righteous example of Abraham, who believed in Jesus Christ, who is God alone, we must live in a manner befitting those who have received righteousness. Living as justified individuals means to practice righteousness (1 Jn. 3:10) and to live in obedience to the dual commandments of Jesus, which are "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mt. 22:37, 39), just as Jesus practiced (1 Jn. 2:6). Let us all, as children of God and heirs, co-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17), who have received the righteousness (salvation) as a gift given by God's grace without any cost (4:16), live lives worthy of those justified by faith, giving glory to God through our actions.