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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

CHAPTER FOUR:
“Abraham’s World Promise By Faith”

[“Abrahamic Promise”]
Key word: Faith
Theme Verse: 13

Romans 4:1-8 – Abraham Justified by Faith

RO4:1 What, then, will we say regarding our fleshly forefather Abraham? 212

212	Say regarding our fleshly forefather Abraham: Paul now brings forth his main witness in the matter of justification by faith and not works. (Genesis chapters 12-22)

RO4:2 For if Abraham was pronounced innocent by means of works 213 he would have reason to boast. 214 Not [of course] to God.

213

Works: In order to get a clear understanding of what is meant by “works” (ERGON Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #2041) it is beneficial to consider the word as used throughout the inspired epistles. The word group occurs 33 times in Romans, 149 times in Paul over all, and 263 times in the Christian Bible. James (21 times) and Revelation (10 times) are worth special attention. The word “works” in Paul often means “works of the Law (of Moses).” Jesus describes the “works of God” as believing in the one sent forth. (John 6:28, 29)

214	Reason to boast: Paul argues that if justification were by works then any person would have reason to boast about the results of these works. He goes on to clarify he does not mean boast to God, but boast to others. Self-righteousness is often the result of such boasting over good works.

RO4:3 For what does the Scripture say? 215 “Abraham had deep conviction in The God 216 and it was credited to him unto righteousness.” [Genesis 15:6]

215	For what does the Scripture say: Paul, like Jesus, recognizes the book of Genesis as “Scripture.” He now quotes Genesis 15:6. This verse is also quoted at Romans 4:9; Romans 4:22; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23.

216

Abraham had deep conviction in The God: Here the Greek for faith is EPISTEUSEN (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4100) and conveys a strong type of belief. According to Paul this faith was shown while in the uncircumcised state. His belief was reflected in his obedience in leaving Ur to the land God promised. (See notes on Romans 4:10, 11.) Compare Romans 4:21 for the depth of his conviction.

RO4:4 However, the payment is not credited 217 to the one working as if it were charity, but as a debt.

217

Credited: The Greek is LOGIZETAI (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #3049), an accountant’s word. Or, KJV: counted; MON: set down to his account. The idea of God as the celestial accountant who records debits and credits in those books which will one day be read in the Day of Judgment runs throughout the Hebrew Bible and in the Nazarene’s teachings. (Compare Luke 6:31-36) Paul argues that if Abraham had worked for it then it would be a payment to him; but since it is credited to his account it is not a payment but a gift of charity.

RO4:5 But, to the one not working, but believing in the One who pronounces the irreverent innocent, 218 his belief is credited as righteousness 219 apart from works.

218

The One who pronounces the irreverent innocent: The Greek for “irreverent” is ASEBE (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #765) and is also rendered: KJV: ungodly; NEB: in him who acquits the guilty. See Acts 13:39 and Galatians 2:16, 17. Paul means a former irreverent person who has now become a believer.

219	Belief is credited as righteousness: In the Divine Log acts of conviction are entered as a credit in the righteousness column.

RO4:6 Also, even as David 220 spoke: “Blessed is the person to whom God credits 221 righteousness.

220	David: Paul calls on another witness in David as he quotes Psalm 32:1, 2.

221	Credits: Again Paul uses LOGIZETAI twice in the quote and this is the same word used in the ancient Jewish Greek Septuagint at Psalm 32:1, 2.

RO4:7 Blessed are those whose lawlessness is forgiven and whose sins are covered over. RO4:8 Blessed a male 222 whom YHWH 223 never credits sin.” [Psalm 32:1, 2]

222

A male: The Greek is the word for “male” – ANER (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #435). Most read “man” while others choose “they” or “anyone.” (Compare ANDROS, ANTHROPOS) In the 21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM] when ANTHROPOS is the source, human or person is used, while “male” with the occurrence of ANER.

223	YHWH: Or, Sovereign Lord. Not to be confused with the Master Jesus. Psalm 32:1, 2 contains the Divine Name YHWH (Yehowah, Yahweh, Jehovah).

Romans 4:9-12 – Abraham Justified When Uncircumcised

RO4:9 Is this blessedness upon the circumcised or the uncircumcised? 224 We stated that Abraham was credited with righteousness because he believed. [Genesis 15:6]

224

Is this blessedness upon the circumcised or the uncircumcised: Paul opens with a challenge to the Jew. In what state or condition was Abraham declared righteous? Paul proves it was before he had been circumcised proving that the uncircumcised can be credited with righteousness. Read Acts 15:1, 2 for the reasons why Paul is pursuing this line of argument. Paul alludes back to Genesis 15: again.

RO4:10 Then, how was it credited? In circumcision or uncircumcision? Not in circumcision but when [Abraham] was uncircumcised. RO4:11 Also, he received a seal of the righteousness from belief – circumcision. 225 So that he would become a father 226 [Genesis 17:5] of all those believing, though uncircumcised, for righteousness to be credited to them also.

225	A seal of the righteousness from belief – circumcision: It is after Abraham has received the seal of righteousness, confirmed by God, that he is then circumcised.

226

He would become a father: Paul calls Abraham “a father.” Genesis 17:5 has Yehowah changing his name to Abraham – while still uncircumcised – which means, “Father of a multitude,” or “a crowd of nations (uncircumcised non-Jews).” Thus, before his circumcision Abraham is not only declared righteous but he also is declared a father to future non-Jews who had not been circumcised. Compare John 8:33, 37, 39 and Galatians 3:7, 29.

RO4:12 Our father Abraham, a father of the circumcised – not to the circumcised only, but also to those who walk in the steps of 227 the father of the believing uncircumcised.

227	To those who walk in the steps of: Compare Revelation 14:5. Those believing must also walk in the footsteps of Abraham.

Romans 4:13-15 – World Promise Not Through the Law

RO4:13 For the promise to Abraham, 228 or his seed 229 – that he would inherit a whole world of humankind 230 [Genesis 17:6] – was not by means of [the] Law 231 but by means of the righteousness of belief. 232

228	The promise to Abraham: The “promise” is found in Genesis 17:5, 6, “… because I will make you a father of a multitude of nations. Also, I will make you extremely fruitful – you will produce nations, and royalty will be your descendants.”

229	Or his seed: Genesis 17:7 continues: “… and after you your offspring by their generations for a perpetual covenant.”

230	He would inherit a whole world of humankind: Or, KJV: heir of the world; CON: inherit the world; NOR: possess the earth. Paul makes an interpretative paraphrase of Genesis 17:6 to mean “a world.”

231	Was not by means of [the] Law: Paul could state as part of his argument that the Law did not yet exist as he does later in another letter. However, this is obvious to a Jew familiar with Abraham. The Law would not come into exist for more than another 400 years.

232	By means of the righteousness of belief: Or, KJV: through the righteousness of faith; GDS: the uprightness that resulted from his faith; MON: through faith-righteousness.

RO4:14 For if those are heirs because of [the] Law then belief in the promise has been voided and rendered inoperative. 233

233

Then belief in the promise has been voided and rendered inoperative: Or, KJV: faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect; GDS: faith is nullified and the promise amounts to nothing; BER: then faith is futile and the promise is abrogated; TCN: faith is robbed of its meaning and the promise comes to nothing.

RO4:15 Because the Law produces wrath, 234 but where there is no law there is no transgression. 235

234	The Law produces wrath: Or, CON: the Law brings not blessings but punishment; PME: the Law can produce no promise, only the threat of wrath; NOR: for where there is law there is wrath. Compare notes on Romans 3:20 and Romans 5:20. (Galatians 3:19)

235	Where there is no law there is no transgression: Or, TCN: where no Law exists, no breach of it is possible. See notes on Romans 5:13.

Romans 4:16-22 – Belief Credited as Righteousness

RO4:16 Therefore, this is based on conviction, that the promise be sure to all the seed, 236 according to unmerited favor, and not only of the Law, but also of Abraham’s belief, who is the father of every one of us. 237

236	The promise be sure to all the seed: God’s promise to Abraham was based on Abraham’s faith and His own grace toward the loyal patriarch and his future offspring. God’s promises are always realized. Compare notes on Romans 15:8. (Galatians 3:22; Isaiah 55:11)

237

Who is the father of every one of us: Not just the natural Jews but also those uncircumcised non-Jews who have the same faith as Abraham. Compare notes on Romans 4:11. (Galatians 3:29) Note godly women are so associated with Sarah by their respect for their husbands and their doing good. (1 Peter 3:6)

RO4:17 Just as it has been written: 238 “I have appointed you a father of many non-Jews,” [Genesis 17:6] before whom he had believed – God, the One who makes the dead alive, 239 and calls things that do not exist as if they existed. 240

238	Just as it has been written: See notes above on Genesis 17:6.

239	The One who makes the dead alive: See Hebrews 11:19.

240	Calls things that do not exist as if they existed: Or, RSV: calls into existence the things that do not exist. (Genesis 1:1; Luke 20:38)

RO4:18 [Abraham] was beyond hope, yet based on hope, [he had] deep conviction leading to [the fulfillment of] of the thing spoken that he “would become a father of many non-Jews, so will be your seed.” [Genesis 17:5] RO4:19 And not weakened in belief 241 he considered his body already impotent 242 being about one hundred years old – and also the deadness of Sarah’s womb.

241	Not weakened in belief: Or, MOF: never quailed; TCN: his faith did not fail him.

242	His body already impotent: KJV: his own body now dead; MOF: utter impotence. Compare Genesis 18:11; Hebrews 11:11, 12.

RO4:20 But, he believed in the promise of The God, not doubting in disbelief 243

243	Not doubting in disbelief: Or, KJV: staggered not; ASV: wavered not through disbelief; WMS: never staggered in doubt.

RO4:21 but completely convinced 244 that what [God] promises He was also strong enough to do.

244	Completely convinced: Or, KJV: fully persuaded; KNX: fully convinced; GDS: full assurance; TCN: firm conviction.

RO4:22 Therefore, because [of that conviction] it was credited to him as righteousness. [Genesis 15:6]

Romans 4:23-25 – Those Destined to Be Justified

RO4:23 Now it was not written just for [Abraham’s] sake only – that it was credited to him [Genesis 15:6] – RO4:24 but also for us 245 – to whom it was also to be credited 246 – to those believing the One who has raised up from the dead, Jesus 247 our Master –

245	But also for us: God’s promise was not only to Abraham but also to his seed.

246	To whom it was also to be credited: Paul draws the conclusion that Abraham’s seed will also be blessed with a credit of righteousness.

247	Believing the One who has raised up from the dead, Jesus: Compare Acts 2:24 and Acts 13:30 for Peter and Paul’s Scriptural reasons for the resurrection of the Messiah.

RO4:25 who was delivered up for our trespasses, 248 [Isaiah 53:6] and was raised up in order to pronounce us innocent. 249

248

Who was delivered up for our trespasses: Paul alludes to Isaiah 53:6. It is from Isaiah chapter 53 that he reaches the conclusion that Messiah will be delivered up, die, and be restored in order to pronounce innocent believers. Isaiah 53 prophesied: “He bears our sins… He was wounded on account of our sins… [YHWH] gave him up for our sins… His life is taken from the earth… He shall inherit many, and he will divide spoil of the mighty, because his soul was delivered to death… He was delivered up because of their transgressions.”

249	Was raised up in order to pronounce us innocent: As foretold by Isaiah 53.

Summary of Chapter Four

Paul uses two arguments from Abraham and David that a person may be justified by faith without works.

Paul asks a trick question which would give a Jewish rabbi a headache. In what state was Abraham when he was declared righteous? The answer is uncircumcised. It was after Abraham showed his faith in leaving Ur for Canaan that he was justified and then later circumcised. At this time Abrams name was changed to Abraham, “Father of a Multitude,” or a father of a crowd of uncircumcised non-Jews. It is a masterful stroke: Abraham is the father of both the circumcised and the uncircumcised believers. All should walk in his footsteps by faith.

A promise is without legal attachments. God promised Abraham a world-encircling, global inheritance on the basis of his deep conviction in Him. If law was involved both to promise and the conviction in it are rendered useless. Law means punishment but without law there is no sin.

Paul discusses Abraham’s faith in God’s ability to do the impossible. The state of the ancient couple, Abraham and Sarah, does not give Abraham any pause in lack of faith. He believes God may raise the dead (an early allusion to the resurrection) as well as bring into existence something that does not exist. The Bible verses discussed early are referenced again.

Paul argues that the statement “it was credited to him,” was not written just for Abraham’s sake, but also or all his seed who would also have righteousness credited to them. Conviction that God raised Jesus from the dead is a necessity to benefit from this pronouncement of not guilty. Paul quotes Isaiah 53:6 as proof of his affirmation.

Review Questions on Chapter Four