Abraham was considered by the Jews as having been obedient and so favored of God.
To the Jewish mind, Abraham was an example of perfect obedience to the torah and thus was the father of the Jews.
Paul is going to use the father of the Jews instead as the Law’s example of the father of all who have faith.
Jewish traditions to teach about Abraham.
4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter?
4:2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.
But, of course, he did not and so it is not true.
Paul adds to “boast about” the words “before God”.
4:3 What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
Genesis 15:6 is the first time the word “believe” is found in scripture and it is used with the principle of being credited with righteousness.
Abraham’s faith in context is in God’s promise that he would have a son.
Abraham’s faith is not in itself a righteous act that God accepts.
Abraham’s faith is not considered a work.
Abraham’s faith does not replace good works or obedience.
The Jews would read this faith into the faith of obedience in Genesis 22.
The “crediting” of Abraham with righteousness means to credit to his account something that is not really his.
”Credit” is the word “logizomai” and means the economic and legal crediting of something to another’s account.
a) 2 Samuel 19:20 when Shimei calls himself sinful but asks David not to credit his sin to his account.
Paul’s interpretation of Genesis 15:6 is completely opposite the Jewish traditions but exactly in line with the scriptures.
4:4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.
4:5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.
b) God’s justifying verdict is not earned but given at no cost.
“wicked” or “ungodly” is “asebhV” and refers to a person who refuses to worship.
What is Faith then if not a Work?
Paul makes it clear that faith is not a work. Or else, we could boast about it!
Faith has no power to save. If it did then Jesus would not have to go to the cross.
Faith is the channel that God brings his grace.
Faith is the reaction of a man when he is confronted with the Word of God.
Abraham believed a promise from God concerning a son.
The opposite is a hardened heart that rejects the Truth of God’s promise.
Faith is accepting God’s plan of salvation, his free gift of grace.
Forgiveness is the act of NOT COUNTING men’s sins.
These words are not describing a moral change but instead a change in their relationship to God.
4:9 Is 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.
4:10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before!
4:11 And 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.
4:12 And 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.
4:13 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.
4:15 because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
4:16 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.
Paul has defeated both of these hopes of self-righteousness or a religious act like circumcision.