1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
4Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7"Blessed are they
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8Blessed is the man
whose sin the Lord will never count against him."
9Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1.The basis of God’s bestowal of righteousness upon people has always been faith.
cf. Gen. 15:6; Ps 32:1-2
Discussion Question 1A: Why would Paul want to use Abraham as a demonstration of God’s justification towards sinners?
Discussion Question 1B: Regarding the statement of David’s that Paul quotes from in verses 7 and 8 (Ps 32:1-2), why is it important that we not only believe in the doctrine of justificaton by faith alone, but find our joy, happiness and peace in it?
Discussion Question 1C: How would you respond to an individual who says that ‘Christian doctrine has nothing to say to the practical issues of life’?
2. Circumcision in the Old Testament was never meant to be a means of keeping God’s favour, but as a symbolic picture of the blessings that God promises to all who believe in Him, regardless of whether they are circumcised or not.
Discussion Question 2A: What are some promises from Scripture that are precious to you, and remind you of the favour that God has shown to you through Christ?
Discussion Question 2B: What are we, in effect, saying to God when try to earn His favour, or at least keep ourselves in it, through what we do?
Discussion Question 2C: What kinds of acts or activities – that God established in Scripture as ways of strengthening believers’ faith in Christ – can easily become “works” to you?
