“What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?” (Romans 4:1).
The question posed by the Apostle Paul in Romans 4:1 held immediate implications for his initial audience. It also carries significance for us as well. The response to this question will unfold over the course of this chapter, with Abraham, the renowned Biblical patriarch, serving as the focal point.
Four distinct segments comprise Romans chapter four. The first eight verses remind us that God’s imputed righteousness is acquired by faith apart from works. Verses nine to twelve call our attention to the fact that Abraham was justified before God prior to the act of circumcision. In a similar manner, Abraham was justified by faith long before the Mosaic Law came into effect (verses thirteen to seventeen). Finally, Paul will discuss these historical realities and their contemporary relevance in the final eight verses of this chapter.
This historical detour into the life of Abraham also addressed a first-century doctrinal debate. For example, many in the first-century church found the practice of circumcision to be a contentious issue. At the center of that controversy was a group that is historically known as the Judaizers. The Judaizers were early converts to Christianity from Jewish backgrounds. Their teaching asserted that those of non-Jewish descent were obligated to follow the Old Testament Law in order to find salvation through Christ.
The New Testament book of Acts records one such example…
“And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved’” (Acts 15:31).
In essence, their argument was this: Jesus saves us, but only after we accept the Old Testament Law. In their view, the path to Christianity involved a conversion to Judaism first. However, Romans chapter four, and its comprehensive study of Abraham’s life, will serve to correct that heretical teaching and establish a healthy theological foundation for ancient and modern readers alike.
Thus, we can draw several valuable lessons from Abraham’s example. As one commentator reminds us, “Abraham is referred to as God’s ‘friend’ three times in the Bible (2 Chron. 20:7; Isa. 41:8; James 2:23). Why is that? The answer, as Paul is about to show, is that Abraham ‘believed God’ and so was credited with righteousness (Rom. 4:3). If Paul can show that Abraham, the father of all the faithful, came into a right relationship with God by faith and not by any amount of human good works, his case is proved… If he cannot prove this, the case is lost and so is Christianity.” (1)
(1) Boice, J. M. (2005). Romans: Justification by Faith (Romans 1-4). Baker Books. [p.431]