13 It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, 15 because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. 20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." 23 The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1. God’s promise to His people are on the basis of faith, not on their possession of the Law or their attempts to keep it. (vv. 13-16)
Discussion Question 1A: What does Paul mean when he says that “Law brings wrath”?
Discussion Question 1B: Paul says, “the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace”. How does faith allow God’s grace to be given, and why can’t the Law allow for the same?
2. Since God’s promise is based on faith, anyone who trusts in God can become one of His people. (vv. 16-17)
Discussion Question 2A: Read Psalm 67. Was it always God’s intention to have believing Gentiles included among His people? Why would have it been hard for many Jews to grasp this? What lessons about fallen human nature can we glean from their failure to understand?
Discussion Question 2B: Paul says that God “calls things that are not as though they were”. As if they were what? What is Paul referring to here? (recall especially our discussion last week)
3. The character of saving faith is firm and unwavering, even when a believer’s circumstances seem hopeless. (vv. 18-21)(cf.Jas 1:5-8)
Discussion Question 3A: Do verses 18 through 21 suggest that faith has to be without doubt in order to be genuine?
Discussion Question 3B: What lessons can we glean from Abraham’s faith, even though it is a faith that Christians ultimately share? (see also James 1:5-8)
Discussion Question 3C: Share an experience of how God honoured your faith in Him while you were at a very discouraging point in your life.
4. To trust in Jesus not only involves believing that He paid the penalty for our sin, but that He also rose from the dead. Our justification depends on this. (vv. 22-25)
Discussion Question 4: Read John 14:19 and 1 Cor. 15:12-19. Why must the truth of Christ’s resurrection be a fundamental doctrine of Christianity?
