Teaching of Paul - Bible Study 10

Readings: Romans 4:1-25

Questions and Comments

1. 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).

2. 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.
    
3. 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).

4. 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.

5. 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.