Lesson 8
Romans 4:1-12
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Living by Faith: A Study in Romans
For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Romans 4:3
In the previous chapter Paul has been teaching about justification by faith. He now points to Abraham's example to support his teaching.
Read Romans 4:1-12
Abraham was greatly revered by the Jews. Not only was he their father, he was also counted righteous by God. Of all people, Abraham surely had reason to boast, yet not even he, the father of many nations, can boast before God.
1) In verses 1-3, what does Abraham gain and how does he gain it?
2) Why does Abraham have no reason for boasting?
3) What things might we imagine give us cause for boasting and how does the truth of justification by faith keep us from the error of pride?
Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:31
4) What does Romans 4:4 say about the one who works?
5) What is the difference between a gift and wages?
Romans 4:5 tells us that to those who do not work but believe in God, their faith is counted as righteousness. Not only is Abraham's faith counted as righteousness, but so is ours.
Read Genesis 15:1-6
6) What promise does God give Abraham?
God was promising Abraham more than personal gain and the satisfaction of knowing he would have many descendants. He was confirming the promise given earlier in Genesis 12:3 that through Abraham all the nations of the earth would be blessed. It is against this background of promise, blessing, and justification by faith that David speaks of blessing in Psalm 32 from which Paul now quotes.
7) What does Romans 4:7-8 say about those who are blessed?
This blessing is given not as wages we have earned. Rather, these blessings are given freely by God to those who believe him.
8) What argument in Romans 4:9-12 does Paul use to show that Abraham is the father of all who believe?
Circumcision and the law were barriers between Jew and Gentile. Read Ephesians 2:11-16.
9a) What was the status of Gentiles?
b) What has Jesus done for them, for us?
10) How does what Jesus did for Gentiles relate to God's promise to Abraham?
11) Because of what Jesus has done for us we are the blessed ones that David speaks of. Each of us who have been justified by faith in Christ receives the blessing spoken of by David and can insert our own names in these verses.
Blessed [is]_________________ whose lawless deeds are forgiven and whose sins are covered; blessed is _________________ against whom the Lord will not count [her] sin.
Through the work of Christ there is one new man made up of Jew and Gentile. in Christ we are no longer separated from God, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, or strangers to the covenants of promise. We are now spiritual descendants of Abraham the man of faith and receive the blessing promised to the nations.
12) What new insight have you gained from this lesson and how does this understanding boost your confidence in God?
Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD." Jeremiah 9:23-24
Copyright © 2009, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Romans 4:1-12
Read Mark Learn Bible Studies
Living by Faith: A Study in Romans
For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Romans 4:3
In the previous chapter Paul has been teaching about justification by faith. He now points to Abraham's example to support his teaching.
Read Romans 4:1-12
Abraham was greatly revered by the Jews. Not only was he their father, he was also counted righteous by God. Of all people, Abraham surely had reason to boast, yet not even he, the father of many nations, can boast before God.
1) In verses 1-3, what does Abraham gain and how does he gain it?
2) Why does Abraham have no reason for boasting?
3) What things might we imagine give us cause for boasting and how does the truth of justification by faith keep us from the error of pride?
Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:31
4) What does Romans 4:4 say about the one who works?
5) What is the difference between a gift and wages?
Romans 4:5 tells us that to those who do not work but believe in God, their faith is counted as righteousness. Not only is Abraham's faith counted as righteousness, but so is ours.
Read Genesis 15:1-6
6) What promise does God give Abraham?
God was promising Abraham more than personal gain and the satisfaction of knowing he would have many descendants. He was confirming the promise given earlier in Genesis 12:3 that through Abraham all the nations of the earth would be blessed. It is against this background of promise, blessing, and justification by faith that David speaks of blessing in Psalm 32 from which Paul now quotes.
7) What does Romans 4:7-8 say about those who are blessed?
This blessing is given not as wages we have earned. Rather, these blessings are given freely by God to those who believe him.
8) What argument in Romans 4:9-12 does Paul use to show that Abraham is the father of all who believe?
Circumcision and the law were barriers between Jew and Gentile. Read Ephesians 2:11-16.
9a) What was the status of Gentiles?
b) What has Jesus done for them, for us?
10) How does what Jesus did for Gentiles relate to God's promise to Abraham?
11) Because of what Jesus has done for us we are the blessed ones that David speaks of. Each of us who have been justified by faith in Christ receives the blessing spoken of by David and can insert our own names in these verses.
Blessed [is]_________________ whose lawless deeds are forgiven and whose sins are covered; blessed is _________________ against whom the Lord will not count [her] sin.
Through the work of Christ there is one new man made up of Jew and Gentile. in Christ we are no longer separated from God, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, or strangers to the covenants of promise. We are now spiritual descendants of Abraham the man of faith and receive the blessing promised to the nations.
12) What new insight have you gained from this lesson and how does this understanding boost your confidence in God?
Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD." Jeremiah 9:23-24
Copyright © 2009, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.