Romans 4:1-8 - Outline and Summary

Paul uses two highly respected men of the Old Testament (Abraham and King David) to illustrate and prove the fact that sinners (Jews and Gentiles) are justified (put in right standing with God) by faith apart from their own works (or law keeping). (Romans 4:1-8)

• Abraham, the Father of the Jewish nation was justified by faith, not by works (Romans 4:1-5)

– If Abraham, the Father of the Jews according to the flesh, was justified by works (i.e. by his own personal acts of obedience), then he had something to boast about. But he had no such ground before God. (Romans 4:1-2)

– Why not? Romans 4:3ff gives the answer:

– The scriptures state that righteousness was credited (i.e. imputed, reckoned, or counted) to Abraham as a result of having believed God. (Romans 4:3)

The two methods of justification:

• Justification by Works

• Justification by Faith

Are shown to rest on two contrary principles:

• Justification by Works rests on the principle that men earn their salvation by doing good. Good men are saved by their good deeds or right conduct (i.e. by their own righteousness).

– Romans 4:4 - Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.

• Justification by Faith rests on the principle that God gives (i.e. reckons, counts, or credits) to the ungodly (i.e. the wicked, guilty, sinner)who believes in Him. Salvation is not earned or merited by the sinner, but is freely given to him by grace through faith.

– Romans 4:5 - However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

• Paul appeals to the words of David (the greatest king of Israel) in support of the scriptural teaching that sinners are justified because of righteousness which God credits to them apart from their works. (Romans 4:6-8)

• Paul cites Psalm 32:1-2 to show that David acknowledged this principle:

– Romans 4:7-8 - "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."

• Note: To fully understand what David is saying in Psalm 32 (and also Psalm 51) we must remember the terrible sins which David had committed:

– Adultery with Bathsheba (Uriah’s wife) (2 Samuel 11:1-5)

– Secondly, after David’s attempt to hide his sin had failed, he had Uriah murdered (2 Samuel 11:6-26)

– Through the parable of the prophet Nathan David was brought to repentance.

– Psalms 32 and 51 record David’s confession to the Lord and the assurance of forgiveness and salvation which he experienced