Romans 4
"Abraham believed God"
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What does it say?
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The whole chapter, in shortThe main points of the whole chapter, in a few sentences.
Paul asks how Abraham was made right with God, and answers from Scripture: "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." It was a gift, not wages for work, and it happened before Abraham was circumcised, so he is the father of everyone who believes. Against all hope, Abraham trusted the God who gives life to the dead, and the same is credited to us who believe in the God who raised Jesus.
Where it is in the Bible: Romans 4
All the sections at a glanceA map of the chapter, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Letter
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Abraham Believed God | 4:1-8 | Righteousness is a gift, not wages |
| 2. Before the Sign | 4:9-12 | Abraham was counted righteous before circumcision |
| 3. The Promise Comes by Faith | 4:13-17 | Abraham is the father of all who believe |
| 4. Against All Hope | 4:18-25 | Abraham trusted the God who gives life to the dead |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Rome around AD 57.
What came before. In chapter 3, Paul said everyone has sinned and falls short of God's glory. But people are made right with God freely, by his grace, through faith in Jesus (3:23-24). "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law" (3:28).
What this chapter is. Proof from Scripture. Paul goes back to Abraham, the father of God's people, to show that it was always this way.
A word to know. "Credited" is a bookkeeping word. It means put into someone's account.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4Abraham Believed God
Was Abraham made right with God by what he did? Then he could brag. But not before God.
"For what does the Scripture say?" It says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness" (4:3).
When you work, your pay isn't a gift. You earned it.
"However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness" (4:5).
God declares the ungodly righteous. That's grace.
King David said the same thing: "Blessed are they whose lawless acts are forgiven, whose sins are covered" (4:7).
Section 2 of 4Before the Sign
When was Abraham counted righteous? Before or after he was circumcised?
Before. Circumcision was a sign of the righteousness he already had by faith.
So Abraham is the father of everyone who believes, Jewish or not.
Section 3 of 4The Promise Comes by Faith
God's promise to Abraham didn't come through the law. It came through faith.
"Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring" (4:16).
If it depended on us, it wouldn't be guaranteed. Because it rests on grace, it's sure.
Abraham believed "the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist" (4:17).
Section 4 of 4Against All Hope
"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed" (4:18).
He was about a hundred years old. Sarah couldn't have children. He knew it.
"Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God" (4:20).
He was "fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised" (4:21).
These words weren't written just for Abraham. They are for us, who believe in God who raised Jesus from the dead.
"He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification" (4:25).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Abraham believed God" (4:3) | Abraham trusted God's promise. |
| "Credited to him as righteousness" (4:3) | God counted Abraham as right with him. |
| "Him who justifies the wicked" (4:5) | God makes sinners right with him as a gift. |
| "So that it may rest on grace" (4:16) | God's promise depends on him, not us. |
| "Against all hope... in hope believed" (4:18) | Abraham trusted God when it looked impossible. |
| "Raised to life for our justification" (4:25) | Jesus's resurrection seals our right standing with God. |
Back Then
Paul quotes Genesis 15:6. God promised Abraham descendants like the stars, and Abraham believed.
David's words come from Psalm 32:1-2, a psalm about the joy of being forgiven.
Abraham was honored by Jews. Some teachers said he was counted righteous because he obeyed. Paul says Scripture shows it was by faith first.
Literal Reader Alert
Doesn't God care what we do? He does. But we don't earn his acceptance by doing. Faith receives it as a gift. Good works follow, the way fruit grows on a tree.
Did Abraham never doubt? Abraham laughed at God's promise once (Genesis 17:17). Paul says he didn't give up on the promise. Faith isn't never having questions.
What does "justify" mean? To declare someone righteous, like a judge declaring "not guilty."
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Abraham | Hopeful | He believed against all hope (4:18) |
| The forgiven | Blessed | Their sins are covered (4:7) |
| Abraham | Fully persuaded | God would keep his promise (4:21) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What does Romans 4 say to you? Tap one.
I'm not good enough
God justifies the ungodly. It's a gift.
It seems impossible
Abraham believed against all hope.
I'm forgiven
"Blessed are they whose sins are covered."
I doubt sometimes
Abraham did too. God was faithful anyway.
You Might Have Heard
"God helps those who help themselves."
What's true: God gives us strength to work and serve.
What the passage is mainly about: God counted Abraham righteous because he trusted God's promise, not because he earned it. God "justifies the wicked" (4:5). That's the good news.
Where Jesus is: Delivered to death for our sins, raised to life to make us right with God (4:25).
Good News
Abraham didn't earn God's favor. He trusted God's promise.
"Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness" (4:3).
The same is true for you. When you trust Jesus, God counts you righteous. It rests on grace, so it's guaranteed.
Abraham believed God, and God counted him righteous. God still justifies sinners as a gift, through faith in Jesus.
Big Idea
Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. God's promise rests on grace and is received by faith.
If this chapter brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther called this teaching, being made right with God by grace through faith, the article on which the church stands or falls. He said Romans 4 shows it plainly in Abraham.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Romans 4:1-5 and 13-17 on the Second Sunday in Lent in Year A, and Romans 4:13-25 on the Second Sunday in Lent in Year B. In Year A, it also reads Romans 4:13-25 in June (Lectionary 10).
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Second Sunday in Lent Year ASecond reading, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
- Second Sunday in Lent Year BSecond reading, Romans 4:13-25
- Lectionary 10 Year ASecond reading, Romans 4:13-25
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Romans 4, explained in plain words. Paul goes back to Abraham to show that God counts people right with him by faith, as a gift. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/romans-4/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church