Romans 4:1-12

4:1-8 | Both Abraham and David illustrate the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Abraham’s justification by faith alone. Abraham’s justification is presented in a positive way. He was credited with righteousness. In contrast, David’s justification is presented in a negative way. His sin was not credited against him.

4:2-3 | If Abraham was justified by works, then he was a self-made man. But Abraham believed God and His promises, and according to Genesis 15:6, this was sufficient to bring about God’s gift of righteousness (Gal. 3:6; James 2:23). Faith is not righteousness, but it is the only vehicle by which His righteousness reaches believing sinners. How God’s people respond to divine grace has differed through the ages, but they have always responded by faith.

4:4-8 | David violated three of the Ten Commandments when he coveted Bathsheba, committed adultery, and had her husband murdered. The OT sacrificial system made no provisions for such premeditated sin. David could only cry out for God’s mercy.

4:9-10 | Abraham was justified by faith long before he was circumcised. There were at least 14 years between when he was declared righteous by faith and his circumcision. So Abraham’s circumcision did not confer righteousness; it merely confirmed the righteousness he already had. Abraham was actually justified before submitting to rituals and rites.

4:11-12 | Circumcision was a seal (authentication) of the righteousness that he had by faith – a sign to identify Abraham as a justified man.