Abraham Was Declared Righteous by Faith
After explaining in Romans 3 that righteousness comes through faith, Paul now uses Abraham as a major example. This is very important because Abraham was one of the most respected figures in Jewish history. Yet Paul shows that even Abraham was not justified by works.
“For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’” — Romans 4:3
Notice carefully:
Abraham was declared righteous because he believed God. Paul explains that salvation is not earned like wages from a job:
“Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.” — Romans 4:4
If salvation could be earned through human effort, nobody would need grace. But Scripture teaches that righteousness is credited to those who trust God. This is deeply encouraging because it means salvation is available not only for “perfect” people, but for sinners who place their faith in God. Paul also points to David, who described the blessedness of forgiven sins:
“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven…” — Romans 4:7
Forgiveness is one of the greatest gifts in the Gospel. Righteousness before God is received through faith, not earned through human effort.
God Keeps His Promises Even When Circumstances Look Impossible
Romans 4 then focuses on Abraham’s remarkable faith in God’s promises. God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations — even though Abraham and Sarah were far beyond the natural age for having children. Yet Abraham continued believing God:
“He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith…” — Romans 4:20
This does not mean Abraham never had moments of weakness or questions. But overall, his life demonstrated trust in God’s faithfulness. Paul says Abraham was:
“…fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” — Romans 4:21
This is one of the great lessons of faith:
true faith rests not in human ability, but in God’s ability. Teenagers today face many uncertainties:
– future plans, – pressures, – fears, – unanswered prayers, – and difficult situations. This reminds us that God remains trustworthy even when circumstances seem impossible or delayed. Faith often means continuing to trust God before seeing visible results. Faith grows stronger when we choose to trust God’s promises above our circumstances.
Salvation Through Faith Applies to All Believers
Paul explains that Abraham’s story was recorded not only for him, but for future believers also.
“Now it was not written for his sake alone… but also for us.” — Romans 4:23–24
This means Abraham’s example of faith points directly toward every one of us who trusts in Jesus Christ. Paul then connects Abraham’s faith with the resurrection of Christ:
“…who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.” — Romans 4:25
The resurrection proves that Christ’s sacrifice was accepted and that salvation is fully accomplished through Him. Romans 4 therefore unites both Old and New Testament believers around one central truth:
people are made righteous through faith in God. This chapter also reminds us that Christianity is fundamentally relational. Faith is not merely agreeing with facts intellectually — it is trusting God personally. Saving faith is trusting fully in the God who raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
Deeper Waters
Romans 4 is one of the clearest biblical explanations of justification by faith using Old Testament evidence.
Paul strategically chooses Abraham because Abraham lived before the Mosaic Law was given and before circumcision became the covenant sign for Israel. This proves that righteousness was never fundamentally based on law-keeping or religious rituals.
The phrase:
“…it was accounted to him for righteousness…” — Romans 4:3
becomes central to Paul’s argument. The language of “accounting” or “crediting” points toward the doctrine of imputed righteousness — righteousness credited to believers through faith. Paul is showing that salvation has always operated by grace through faith throughout redemptive history. Romans 4 also reveals an important connection between faith and promise. Abraham’s faith rested entirely on God’s word and God’s character. In many ways, this mirrors the broader biblical storyline:
humanity’s hope has always depended on trusting God’s promises ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
The chapter also subtly points toward resurrection power. Abraham believed God could bring life despite the “deadness” of Sarah’s womb (Romans 4:19). This anticipates the greater resurrection reality fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
Romans 4 protects believers from two opposite dangers:
– pride in personal performance, – and despair over personal weakness. Since righteousness comes through faith and not human perfection, believers can rest confidently in God’s grace while continuing to grow in obedience. Romans 4 ultimately magnifies the faithfulness of God:
the God who justified Abraham is the same God who justifies all who believe in Jesus Christ today.