These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
- The doctrine of Grace – Chapters 1-8
- All have sinned – Chapters 1-3
- Saved by faith alone – Chapters 4-5
- Victory over sin – Chapters 6-8
- Apart from the Law…
- Having established God is NOT partial – He will JUDGE everyone [Jew and Gentile]
- That it does NOT matter what LABEL we give to ourselves [what religion]
- And the ONLY purpose of the LAW is to establish that we are SINNERS – Romans 3:20
- We can see being RIGHT with God [righteous] is REVEALED apart from the LAW [νόμος]
- Being WITNESSED by the Law and the Prophets [Old Testament] – Deuteronomy 31:26-29
- Justified by Grace…
- This NEW Covenant – is accessed through FAITH [πίστις] in Jesus – Ephesians 2:8
- And is available to ALL – because there is NO difference – ALL have sinned…
- By FAITH we are JUSTIFIED – just as though we had NEVER sinned…
- FREELY [δωρεάν] – the word means to without COST – by GRACE [χάρις]
- God COVERED [Mercy Seat] our sin by His BLOOD [the cross]
- So that He would be both JUST – there is a consequence for SIN – Romans 3:23
- And the JUSTIFIER [pass over the sins] of those who put their FAITH in Christ!
- No Boasting…
- Therefore [οὖν] – since we are JUSTIFIED as a GIFT from God…
- We do NOT have anything we can BOAST about – we did NOT do any of the WORK…
- NOT that we have done AWAY with the LAW – Romans 7:12
- Instead we are finally able to FULFILL the LAW – because God changes our HEART!
- 1st – Examples of Faith… vs. 1-8
- Accounted…
- Paul uses the word ACCOUNT [λογίζομαι] – ELEVEN times in this chapter…
- It is a FINANCIAL term – carrying the idea of PAYING a DEBT…
- Paul is NOT questioning IF we have SIN – he has already stated ALL are sinners – Romans 3:23
- The question is HOW do we PAY the DEBT we owe to God!
- We tend to think of our SIN in reasonable terms – I owe God P1000…
- But Jesus clarifies our DEBT to God is over TWO trillion pesos – Matthew 18:24
- To put that number in perspective – if we earned P1000 a day…
- It would take us over SIX million years to pay off our DEBT!
- Paul spent THREE chapters establishing we CANNOT pay our DEBT by good works…
- The only way to PAY for our SIN – is through FAITH in Jesus Christ…
- To make that POINT – Paul goes on to give TWO examples of FATH!
- 1st – Father Abraham… vs. 1-5
- First Jew… vs. 1
- What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?
- ABRAHAM was the FATHER of the Jewish nation [physically] – Genesis 17:5
- God gave the LAW to the JEWS – so how God saved the FIRST Jew is important…
- Was he saved by WORKS [following the Law] – or by faith…
- Therefore [οὖν] – which way would [future] we say he FOUND [perfect]!
- No Boasting… vs. 2
- If Abraham was justified by works he has something to boast about – but not before God!
- IF was JUSTIFIED [indicative] by [ἐκ] his GOOD works…
- Then he has [present] a reason to BOAST – but [ἀλλά] not before God…
- ABRAHAM was an amazing man – he did some incredible things…
- He was willing to LEAVE his country – and MOST of his family – Genesis 12:1
- He defeated the FOUR armies of Babylon with just 318 men – Genesis 14:15
- But in spite of what he did that was GOOD – he also made MISTAKES…
- He did brought some family with him [Terah and Lot]
- He also LIED about his life Sarah to the Pharoah – Genesis 12:13
- So although he did GOOD – he was NOT perfect – so could NOT boast to God!
- By Faith… vs. 3
- For what does the Scripture say?
- Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness!
- What does the BIBLE [γραφή] say about Abraham…
- He put his FAITH [πιστεύω] in God – and it was COUNTED [λογίζομαι] to him as…
- RIGHTEOUSNESS [δικαιοσύνη] – noun form of the verb to be JUSTIFIED [δικαιόω]
- So by FAITH Abraham was JUSTIFIED [just as if he never sinned]!
- God promised to give Abraham children [he was around 75]
- Not just ONE child – as many as the STARS in the heavens [200 sextillion]
- Rather than DOUBTING – Abraham BELIEVED the Word of the Lord…
- The Bible does NOT say he did GOOD works to become [active] RIGHTEOUS…
- His faith was [passive] COUNTED [as payment for his debt] as RIGHTEOUSNESS!
- Genesis 15:6 – “He believed in the LORD and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”
- By Grace… vs. 4-5
- Now to him who works the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
- But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly.
- His faith is accounted for righteousness!
- If someone WORKS and are paid a WAGE – it is NOT counted [λογίζομαι] as GIFT [χάρις]
- But something is FREELY given – NOT earned – becomes a GIFT…
- When someone does NOT work – but has FAITH in one who JUSTIFIES the UNGODLY…
- And that FAITH gets COUNTED [λογίζομαι] as RIGHTEOUSNESS [δικαιοσύνη]
- When God justifies the UNGODLY – not because they deserved it – that is GRACE!
- We do NOT want to get what we have EARNED…
- Because what everyone of us DESERVE – is SEPARATION from God – Romans 6:23
- And there is NO amount of GOOD works that will ever pay back our DEBT…
- That is why we need GRACE – we want the GIFT of God…
- And the ONLY way to get it – to be RIGHTEOUS – is to receive it by FAITH!
- 2nd – King David… vs. 6-8
- Blessed man… vs. 6
- Just as David also describes the blessedness of the man.
- To whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
- Among Kings of Israel none were as important as King David – greatest king of Israel…
- So the same question must be asked – was he justified by works or faith…
- David was a GOOD man – a good GODLY man – but NOT perfect…
- So he wrote – BLESSED [oh how happy] – Psalm 32:1-2
- Is the man who to whom God ACCOUNTS [λογίζομαι] as [passive] RIGHTEOUS [δικαιοσύνη]
- NOT because of what he DID – but APART from good works!
- The INIQUITY [singular] of David was one of the most infamous SINS in the Bible…
- He saw a MARRIED woman from his rooftop bathing [Bathsheba] – II Samuel 11:5
- He had an AFFAIR with her [sin] – and when she became pregnant…
- He conspired to have her husband murdered [sin] to try and hide it!
- Not counted… vs. 7-8
- Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven and whose sins are covered.
- Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin!
- BLESSED is the man whose INIQUITY [singular in Hebrew] is FORGIVEN [passive]
- The man whose SIN [singular in Hebrew] is COVERED [passive]
- David was REALLY happy [blessed] to realize that God NEVER [οὗ μὴ subjuntive]
- ACCOUNTS [λογίζομαι] sin – to those who REPENT and TRUST in Him!
- When Nathan the prophet confronted David about his SINS…
- David CONFESSED – and REPENTED before the LORD…
- As a result he was told he was the Lord had taken away his SIN – II Samuel 12:13
- Not because he DESERVED to be forgiven [he deserved death]
- But by GRACE – he became a man after Gods own heart [humble]!
- If we HAD stand before God ACCOUNTABLE for our WORKS…
- It will be a VERY bad day – we will not be happy [extreme understatement]
- But if we stand before God – and our SINS are NOT remembered [forgiven]
- That is a VERY good day – we will be very happy because it means we go to heaven!
- 2nd – Promise through Faith … vs. 9-25
- 1st – Grace for All… vs. 9-15
- Evidence of Faith… vs. 9-10
- Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only or upon the uncircumcised also?
- For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.
- How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised – or uncircumcised?
- Not while circumcised – but while uncircumcised!
- How does this BLESSEDNESS that King David spoke of come…
- Does it ONLY come on the CIRCUMCISION [religious] – or also on the UNCIRCUMCISION…
- FAITH was COUNTED [λογίζομαι] to ABRAHAM as RIGHTEOUSNESS…
- HOW was it COUNTED [λογίζομαι] – NOT while circumcised BUT [ἀλλά] uncircumcised!
- God gave the PROMISE of Circumcision to Abraham [the first Jew] – Genesis 17:4
- But Abraham believed – and was ACCOUNTED righteous – Genesis 15:6
- Abraham was made righteous by FAITH – before the covenant of Circumcision…
- Therefore he was NOT made RIGHTEOUS by being CIRCUMCISED [following the Law]
- Circumcision was the SIGN God had already made him RIGHTEOUS by his FAITH!
- Doing GOOD things does not make us RIGHTEOUS …
- If we are RIGHTEOUS – by FAITH – we will do GOOD things…
- The PROOF of our FAITH is a life that is transformed – James 2:18
- GOOD works are the EVIDENCE that has been SAVED by Grace through faith in Jesus!
- For everyone… vs. 11-12
- [Abraham] received the sign of circumcision.
- A seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised.
- That he might be the father of all those who believe – though they are uncircumcised.
- That righteousness might be imputed to them also.
- And the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision.
- Who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while uncircumcised!
- Abraham was given the SIGN [σημεῖον] of CIRCUMCISION – Genesis 17:4
- As the SEAL [mark] that he became RIGHTEOUS by FAITH while still UNCIRCUMCISED…
- So that he might be the FATHER of ALL [πᾶς] who believe [πιστεύω]
- Those who are UNCIRCUMCISED – and COUNTED [λογίζομαι] as RIGHTEOUS…
- And those who are CIRCUMCISED – but [ἀλλὰ] WALK [present] in FAITH like Abraham did…
- Because his example is ANYONE can receive the promise of heaven by GRACE…
- Whether JEW or GENTILE – Abraham is the EXAMPLE for us all!
- God does NOT care where we came from – what our background was…
- We can be RICH or POOR – we can be GOOD or BAD…
- God LOVEA everyone – and will receive ANYONE – who believes on Him!
- Not by works… vs. 13-15
- For the promise that he would be the heir of the world.
- Was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law – but through the righteousness of faith.
- If those who are of the law are heirs – faith is made void and the promise made of no effect.
- Because the law brings about wrath – for where there is no law there is no transgression!
- For God did NOT make the promise to ABRAHAM or his SEED [child]
- That they would INHERIT the world by keeping the LAW [νόμος]
- BUT [ἀλλὰ] they were given the PROMISE through the righteousness of FAITH [πίστις]
- Because if only those who keep the LAW [νόμος] could inherit eternal life…
- Then FAITH would have NO purpose [void] – the cross would be meaningless – Galatians 2:21
- But the LAW only brings WRATH [judgement] – because without the LAW – there is NO sin!
- There are a lot of different ideas about how to get to heaven…
- Countless RELIGIONS that try to convince us – we can EARN our way to heaven…
- But RULES do nothing to pay back the DEBT of our SIN…
- And wide is the path that leads to destruction – many go in by it – Matthew 7:13
- There is only ONE way that take us into heaven – and it is through FAITH!
- 2nd – Impossible promise… vs. 16-22
- The promise… vs. 16-18
- Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace.
- So that the promise might be sure to all the seed – not only to those who are of the law.
- But also to those who are of the faith of Abraham who is the father of us all.
- As it is written: I have made you a father of many nations!
- Therefore – the PROMISE comes through FAITH by GRACE [χάρις]
- So for CERTAIN the PROMISE is for ALL [πᾶς] of the CHILDREN [σπέρμα]
- NOT just those who have the Law [νόμος] – but also those who have the FAITH of Abraham…
- Because God gave him the promise of being the father of MANY nations – Genesis 17:5
- God went so far as to say his decedents would be – as the stars in the heavens…
- Yet Abram still had NO son – his HEIR was his servant Eliezer – Genesis 15:2
- It is easy to see why Abram might have a hard time believing the promise!
- Sometimes circumstances can get the best of us – it is hard to see HOW God will work it out…
- There is NOTHING wrong with having honest DOUBT…
- We CANNOT fool God – better to be honest with the Lord – talk to Him if there are doubts!
- Look up… vs. 16-18
- In the presence of Him whom he believed – God who gives life to the dead.
- And calls those things which do not exist as though they did.
- Who contrary to hope – in hope believed – so that he became the father of many nations.
- According to what was spoken: So shall your descendants be!
- God gave the PROMISE to Abraham – and he BELIEVED [indicative]
- He BELIEVED in the God who could bring LIFE to the DEAD [Abraham was old]
- He BELIEVED in the God who can call [Isaac] those who do NOT exist [yet]
- CONTRARY [παρά] to HOPE – he in FAITH [active] had HOPE…
- That he would be the FATHER of many NATIONS – according [κατά] to what the Lord said!
- God brought Abram outside – said to him LOOK [imperative] to the heavens…
- The answer to the doubts of Abram – was to look up – Genesis 15:5
- Getting the right perspective – because what we look at determines what we see!
- It is all about perspective – if we are looking at the waves – we see the impossible…
- If we are looking UP to Jesus – we believe nothing is impossible!
- Matthew 17:20 – “If ye have faith… nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
- Believe… vs. 19-22
- Not being weak in faith he did not consider his own body.
- Already dead [since he was about a hundred years old] and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.
- He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief.
- But was strengthened in faith – giving glory to God.
- And being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
- And therefore it was accounted to him for righteousness!
- Abram KNEW that what the Lord promised him was IMPOSSIBLE…
- But he was NOT weak in FAITH – he did NOT consider [κατανοέω] his own body…
- He was a HUNDRED years old – well past the age when he could father children…
- Sarai was NINETY years old – well past the age when she could bear children…
- Yet he did NOT judge [διακρίνω] the PROMISE of God through a LACK of faith [ἀπιστία]
- BUT [ἀλλά] by looking up he was STRONG [passive] in FAITH…
- Fully convinced [passive] that God was able to do what He had PROMISED…
- Therefore is was COUNTED [λογίζομαι] to him as RIGHTEOUSNESS – Genesis 15:6
- Because he BELIEVED – [אָמַן] first time the word FAITH [believe] is used in the Bible!
- God has NOT promised to give us CHILDREN as the STARS…
- But what He has promised is NO less IMPOSSIBLE…
- He has said He will take away ALL of our SINS – bring us to HEAVEN…
- And if we stop and consider who we are [dead in our sins] – we will DOUBT…
- But the question is if like Abraham – we are willing to BELIEVE…
- Not looking at who we are – but trusting in what God has said!
- 3rd – For our sake… vs. 23-25
- Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him – but also for us.
- It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.
- Who was delivered up because of our offenses – and was raised because of our justification!
- God did NOT write that He COUNTED [λογίζομαι] Abraham RIGHTEOUS for his benefit alone…
- BUT [ἀλλὰ] also for us – would also be COUNTED [λογίζομαι] RIGHTEOUS…
- If we BELIEVE [present] that God raised up Jesus from the DEAD…
- Who was CRUCIFIED for of our SINS – and RAISED up for our JUSTIFICATION!
- It is IMPOSSIBLE – for Jesus to be resurrected from the dead…
- It is IMPOSSIBLE for our SINS to be forgiven – and be counted as sinless…
- It is IMPOSSIBLE for sinners to go to heaven – yet God has PROMISED us all these things!
- Are we struggling with doubt and fear – look up…
- That is when we see the Lord who is the God of the impossible…
- If we believe – like Father Abraham – we also are COUNTED as righteous…
- We get to see that our God is indeed the God of the impossible!
- 1st – Grace for All… vs. 9-15