First Comes Faith

Romans 4:1–12

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

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

“Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

There’s a trope that comes out, especially in superhero blockbusters or romantic comedies, where the protagonist is about to lose. But, at the very last second, the protagonist will experience some sort of memory montage flashing before their eyes. Suddenly they realize that what they thought had been missing—some major power or truth—had been there all along. 

For those still grappling with the bleakness in the beginning of chapter 3, Paul similarly gives us a flashback. 

Paul points us to Abraham and explains that everything he had going for him, including his circumcision, did not save him. Abraham’s works could not help him to attain justification. In fact, he had already been counted righteous before being circumcised by faith. 

He also points to David to show us that even a man with such guilt can be counted righteous because he is “counted righteous apart from his works” ( v. 6).

The gift and blessing of faith and righteousness that was given to Abraham and David reveals that all is not lost. This justification by faith can also be ours through redemption in Christ Jesus. And so, let us walk in the footsteps of the faith of those who have come before us with this life-giving truth that has been there all along.