Question 1

What does it mean that Abraham believed God and it was counted for righteousness?

Accepted Answer

When it says Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness, it means Abraham trusted what God promised, and God treated that faith as righteousness. Abraham was not accepted because of his good deeds, but because he relied on God’s word, especially about the promise of a future offspring. God “counted” or credited righteousness to him as a gift. This shows that being right with God comes through trusting him, not earning a place by our own efforts or religious actions.

Question 2

How does this passage show that justification is not by works?

Accepted Answer

Paul explains that if someone works for something, any reward they get is like wages that are owed, not a gift. But when God justifies, he is not paying us back for effort. He justifies “the ungodly,” people who cannot claim to deserve it. Their faith is counted as righteousness. Paul then brings in David, who speaks about the blessed person whose sins are forgiven and covered, not rewarded. All this shows justification is by God’s grace through faith, not payment for works.

Question 3

Why does Paul mention David and the blessedness of forgiveness?

Accepted Answer

Paul mentions David to support the same truth he shows from Abraham. David speaks about how blessed a person is when their sins are forgiven, their iniquities are covered, and God does not count their sin against them. That picture is not about someone earning a clean record, but about God freely not charging their sins to them. By using David’s words, Paul shows that this way of being blessed and accepted by God, without works, was already taught long before, and fits with Abraham’s story.

Question 4

What is the role of circumcision in Abraham’s justification here?

Accepted Answer

Paul is clear that Abraham was counted righteous before he was circumcised. Circumcision came later as a sign and seal of the righteousness he already had by faith. So circumcision did not make him righteous. Instead, it marked and confirmed what God had already given. This means outward religious signs do not create righteousness. They point to an inner reality that comes from faith. That is why the same kind of righteousness can be given to those who are not circumcised but believe as Abraham did.

Question 5

How does this passage show that Gentiles can be children of Abraham?

Accepted Answer

Paul explains that Abraham was justified while uncircumcised, so he could be the father of all who believe, even if they are not circumcised. He is also father of those who are circumcised, but only if they walk in the same steps of faith he had before circumcision. This means true family likeness to Abraham is about sharing his faith, not just sharing his bloodline or outward mark. Both Jews and Gentiles who believe are counted as his children in this sense.

Question 6

What does it mean that God justifies the ungodly in this passage?

Accepted Answer

When the passage says God justifies the ungodly, it means God declares right with him people who, in themselves, are not righteous. They come to him as sinners who cannot fix their own record. By trusting in him, they receive a righteousness they did not work for. This does not praise sin, but it shows that God’s grace reaches those who know they are wrong and depend on his mercy. The focus is on God’s kindness, not on human goodness.

Question 7

Why is this teaching about faith and works important for believers today?

Accepted Answer

This teaching matters because it keeps our hope resting on God’s grace, not on how well we perform. If we think God accepts us because of our works, we will either be proud or crushed. Paul shows that even Abraham and David were accepted by faith, not by what they did. For believers today, this means we look to God’s promise and trust him to count us righteous in Christ. Good works then follow as a response to grace, not as the way we earn it.

Question 8

What does this passage teach about God’s character?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows God as generous and merciful. He does not only deal with people as a strict employer who pays wages owed. Instead, he gives righteousness as a gift. He forgives iniquities, covers sins, and chooses not to count sin against those who trust him. He reaches out to people who are ungodly and brings them into a blessed state. This reveals a God who delights to show grace, who keeps promises, and who opens the way of faith to all kinds of people.

Romans 4:1

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

Abraham Justified by Faith

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Romans 4:1

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

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Abraham Justified by Faith

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