Faith over works

1 What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about—but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness. 4 Now to the one who works, pay is not credited as a gift, but as something owed. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited for righteousness.

6 Likewise, David also speaks of the blessing of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

7 Blessed are those whose lawless acts are forgiven
and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the person
the Lord will never charge with sin.

9 Is this blessing only for the circumcised, then? Or is it also for the uncircumcised? For we say, Faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness. 10 In what way, then, was it credited—while he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? It was not while he was circumcised, but uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while still uncircumcised. This was to make him the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, so that righteousness may be credited to them also. 12 And he became the father of the circumcised, who are not only circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith our father Abraham had while he was still uncircumcised.

Romans 4:1-12

Introduction

If you were to die today and stand before God, and He asked, “Why should I let you into My Heaven?” what do you think you would say?

If you think you’re a morally good person you may answer:

“I’ve been a good person. I’ve tried to live a decent life and follow the golden rule.”
“I’ve never committed any serious crimes or hurt anyone intentionally.”
“I always tell the truth and try to do the right thing.”
“I’ve made a lot of changes and cleaned up my life.”
“I’ve turned over a new leaf and left my sinful habits behind.”
If you think you’re generally a religious person you may answer:
“I go to church every Sunday.”
“I pray and read the Bible regularly.”
“I’ve been baptized and take part in communion.”
“I’ve given generously to my church and charities.”
“I’ve served in ministry or volunteered at church events.”
If you’re a social justice warrior you may answer:
“I’ve helped the less fortunate by giving to the poor or working with nonprofits.”
“I’ve been a good parent, spouse, or friend.”
“I’ve tried to make the world a better place through my job or community service.”
If you’re a self-righteous person you may answer:
“I’m not perfect, but I’m better than most people I know.”
“I’ve never done anything as bad as [insert heinous act or person].”
If you come from a religious home you may answer:
“I come from a Christian family and was raised in the church.”
“I’ve followed the traditions of my faith all my life.”

These answers are all focused on human effort and performance. And none of them will satisfy a holy God. How then can you be right with God?

God credits the ungodly who trust Jesus with righteousness apart from works.

1. Faith over works (Romans 4:1-5)
2. Faith ending in forgiveness (Romans 4:6-8)
3. Faith rather than ritual (Romans 4:9-11)
4. Faith beyond ritual (Romans 4:12)

Faith over works

1 What then will we say [FAI] that Abraham, our forefather [πατήρ] [according to the flesh], has found [RAN]? 2 If Abraham was justified [API] [by works], he has [PAI] something to boast about—but not [before God]. 3 For what does the Scripture say [PAI]? 1.) Abraham believed [AAI] God, and it was credited [API] to him for righteousness.

In Romans 3:21-31, Paul explains how God declares the guilty justified and remains completely just at the same time because of Jesus’ propitiatory sacrifice, who absorbed the wrath of God for all who believe. In Romans 4:1-12, Paul shows that all saints are saved by faith alone in Christ alone.

In Romans 4:13-25, Paul writes that God made promises to Abraham and his descendants, which Abraham believed, even as they were unlikely in human terms. In Romans 4:1-12, the promise of God’s righteousness is made to those that believe apart from works.

Abraham, the patriarch, was central to the Jewish identity. Paul wrote into a context where tradition had emphasized his obedience (Genesis 22) as the reason for his righteousness. Paul undermines this faulty belief and asserts faith as the reason for his righteousness.

Romans 4:3, and Romans 4:9, quote Genesis 15:6. In Genesis 15, God’s makes promises to Abram in a dramatic covenant ritual. Abram asks the Lord questions about how the seemingly impossible promises might be kept. God answers him and Abram believes. In Romans 4, Paul makes the point that Abraham’s was credited to him for righteousness and applies it as a universal principal.

4 Now to the one who works [PMP], pay is not credited [PPI] [as a gift], but [as something owed]. 5 But [-] to the one who does not work [PMP], but believes [PAP] [on him] who justifies [PAP] the ungodly, his faith is credited [PPI] [for righteousness].

Who’s this ungodly person Paul has in mind?

The Self-Reliant Person: who believes they are “good enough” for God because of their tithing, ministry, or standing in society. They outwardly seem moral but live as if God’s grace isn’t necessary. Those who seem outwardly good must recognize their need for Jesus.

The Guilt-Stricken Sinner: who is burdened by a hidden addiction, a moral failure, or a broken relationship. They feel unworthy of God’s love and think they need to clean up their lives before coming to Him. Paul says God justifies the ungodly—not after they clean themselves up, but when they come to Him in faith.

The Complacent Skeptic: who lives their life ignoring God—pursuing success, pleasure, or comfort without considering eternity. This indifference to God’s rule is the essence of ungodliness. Paul’s message is for them too—God offers righteousness to even the most indifferent sinner if they turn and trust in Jesus.

A universal principal is drawn from Abraham, who was not justified by works, but by faith which was credited for righteous.

Abraham’s faith shows how righteousness is credited apart from works, now David takes us deeper, celebrating the joy of forgiveness that accompanies this righteousness.

Faith ending in forgiveness

6 Likewise, David also speaks [PAP] of the blessing of the person to whom God credits [PMI] righteousness [apart from works]:

7 Blessed are those whose lawless acts are forgiven [API] and whose sins are covered [API]. 8 Blessed is the person the Lord will never charge [AMS] with sin.

David’s testimony from Psalm 32:1-2, quoted by Paul, is a powerful affirmation of the joy that comes from forgiveness and imputed righteousness. Psalm 32 was written by David after he’d been restored having committed the sins of adultery and murder. When David finally confessed, the Lord graciously forgave him. David, after experiencing the crushing weight of guilt (2 Samuel 11-12), wrote about the profound relief of knowing his sins were forgiven.

David highlights three critical aspects of forgiveness:

1. Lawless acts are forgiven: This means God removes the guilt of sin entirely, erasing it from His record.
2. Sins are covered: God no longer sees the sin because it has been atoned for—a reality fulfilled in Jesus’ sacrificial death.
3. the Lord will never charge with sin: We can be assured that we are truly forgiven. There will be no double jeopardy. Jesus paid it all.

David uses the word “blessed,” which means deeply happy and content, not because of external circumstances, but because of the assurance that his sins are no longer counted against him. This joy isn’t superficial—it’s the deep peace that comes from being reconciled to God despite our failures.

Imagine someone overwhelmed by guilt—whether it’s a parent haunted by a harsh word spoken in anger, a professional plagued by dishonesty, or a student burdened by a lie they’ve carried for years. David’s testimony resonates: There is no freedom like knowing your sins are forgiven.

This principal is affirmed by David who spoke of the happy man being credited as righteous apart from works.

David rejoices in the blessing of forgiveness, and Paul now turns to Abraham again to show how this blessing isn’t limited by religious rituals like circumcision.

Faith rather than ritual

9 Is this blessing only [for the circumcised], then? Or is it also [for the uncircumcised]?

For we say [PAI], Faith was credited [API] to Abraham for righteousness. 10 In what way, then, was it credited [API]—[while he was [PAP] circumcised], or [while uncircumcised]? It was not [while he was circumcised], but [while uncircumcised]. 11 And he received [PAP] the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith [while still uncircumcised]. [This was to make [PAN] him the father of all who believe [PAP] but are not circumcised], [so that righteousness may be credited [PAN] to them also].

Circumcision, a sign of the covenant (Genesis 17:10-14), marking Abraham’s descendants as God’s chosen people, had become the litmus test for Jewish belonging (Acts 15:1). Paul’s argument that righteousness was credited to Abraham before circumcision directly challenges this deeply ingrained historical perspective.

The church struggled to integrate Gentile believers into what had been a predominantly Jewish movement. The question of adherence to the Mosaic Law was hotly debated (Acts 15:5-11). Paul shows that Abraham’s faith, not his works, secured righteousness standing before God.

Lineage was crucial in both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures. For Jews, being a descendant of Abraham meant inheriting the covenant promises (John 8:33-39). Paul redefines this identity by making Abraham the father of all who believe, Jew or Gentile.

Abraham’s justification before circumcision means the uncircumcised may be justified in the same way.

Abraham’s justification before circumcision opens the door for all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike, and Paul concludes by reminding us that even the circumcised must walk in Abraham’s footsteps of faith.

Faith beyond ritual

12 And he became the father of the circumcised, who [are not only circumcised] but who also follow [PAP] in the footsteps of the faith our father Abraham had [while he was still uncircumcised].

Circumcision symbolised covenant membership and obedience to God (Genesis 17:10-11). Paul’s argument that Abraham was justified before circumcision reinterprets its cultural significance, placing faith above ritual as the mark of God’s people.

Abraham’s justification before circumcision means the circumcised follow in his footsteps when they believe.

1. Faith over works (Romans 4:1-5)
2. Faith ending in forgiveness (Romans 4:6-8)
3. Faith rather than ritual (Romans 4:9-11)
4. Faith beyond ritual (Romans 4:12)

Application for believers

1. Faith over works means you can stop striving for approval and rest in God’s grace. Your standing before God doesn’t depend on what you do but on what Christ has done. Stop trying to earn God’s love through performance. Rest in the assurance that His righteousness is already credited to you.

2. Faith that forgives means you can live in the freedom of knowing your sins are no longer counted against you. Confess your sins and rejoice in the blessing of forgiveness. Let this truth free you from guilt and shame.

3. Faith before religion reminds us that no ritual or tradition makes us right with God—only faith in Jesus does. Embrace unity with believers who differ from you in traditions or practices. Celebrate that faith in Jesus is what makes us family.

4. Faith beyond ritual means that outward signs like baptism or church attendance are secondary to the inward reality of trusting Jesus. Examine your faith—is it resting on external markers, or is it truly rooted in Jesus? Walk in Abraham’s footsteps by trusting God daily.

Application for unbelievers

Romans 4:5 tells us that [God] justifies the ungodly. This is Good News in light of Romans 3:9, where we discovered that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin. This is because there is no one righteous, not even one (Romans 3:10). The ultimate verdict against humanity is that the whole world [has] become subject to God’s judgment (Romans 3:19).

But [God] justifies the ungodly. How can a just God justify the unjust? Because, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed. The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ. He bore the penalty in our place (Romans 3:21-26).

Recognise your ungodliness (Romans 3:10-12, 4:5) and trust in Jesus, the fulfilment of God’s promises (Romans 4:24-25). Before it’s too late (Romans 2:4-5).

Conclusion

If you were to die today and stand before God, and He asked, “Why should I let you into My Heaven?” what do you think you would say?

Don’t answer based on human effort or performance. That will not satisfy a holy God.

Jesus. I believed in Jesus. And He said He’d save me. He said He’d wash me whiter than snow. He said I could come to Him and He’d give me rest. Jesus. I believed in Jesus.

1. Faith over works (Romans 4:1-5)
2. Faith ending in forgiveness (Romans 4:6-8)
3. Faith rather than ritual (Romans 4:9-11)
4. Faith beyond ritual (Romans 4:12)

God credits the ungodly who trust Jesus with righteousness apart from works.

Amen.