Teaching of Paul - Bible Study 10
Readings: Romans 4:1-25
Questions and Comments
- Note especially Romans 4:5-6. Paul has already made 3 statements which are contrary to the Jewish interpretation of the Old Testament.
- By the works of the law no person will be justified (Romans 3:20).
- That God would justify Gentiles through faith without circumcision (Romans 3:30).
- That salvation is given independent of the law (Romans 3:19,28).
- Now in Romans 4, Paul bases his argument on the Law (Taurah). He takes Genesis 15 and illustrates from the life of Abraham. Please read Genesis 15.
- Now read Romans 4:1-22.
- Abraham's righteousness is wholly by faith (Romans 4:1-8).
- Abraham's righteousness is independent of circumcision (Romans 4:9-12).
- Abraham's righteousness is independent of the Mosaic law (Romans 4:13-22).
- Read Galatians 3:6-14; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24. (Note: Man is made in the image of God – Genesis 1:26-27 which is not referring to the body.) Man has:
- Will – he can choose.
- Moral attributes (e.g. – kindness, righteousness, mercy).
- He is immortal – having a beginning but no ending.
- Man was made perfect (Genesis 1:31) – but he deliberately sinned (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:6) – therefore the image of God in man was defaced, spoilt, blurred but not totally erased.
- Compare Abraham's faith and our faith.
- God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:5-7).
- God's promise to us (Galatians 4:4-7).
- Abraham could not himself do anything to fulfill the promise made by God (Romans 4:18-19). We also can do nothing to fulfill the promise made by God. Like Abraham we can only believe (Romans 3:20).
- Abraham's God (Romans 4:17).
- Our God (Romans 4:24).
- Abraham's God is our God. God's promise to Abraham in Genesis was fulfilled in a physical sense as well as in a spiritual sense. The promise of God in Romans 4:16-17 is fulfilled in a spiritual sense.