Romans 4:1-3

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." 
Romans 4:1-3 ESV

Paul had just explained that the actual purpose of law that had been passed down to the Jews from generations before was never to provide justification, but instead was to point to our inability perfectly keep the law - thus pointing to our desperate need for a Savior, Jesus Christ.

Now, Paul continues to answer questions that he either knows will be coming or have actually been asked of him at some point as he preached the true gospel.



What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?

We touched in previous verses on how, by explaining to the Jews how wrong they were in their interpretation of the purpose of the law, Paul was basically "robbing" them of their identity. These people had been faithful to what they had been taught, they had never been forced to question the validity of their belief system. Now, Paul was saying that everything they had put their faith in was wrong.

Paul expands on the topic of the law by now going to Abraham, a very important father figure to the Jews - and even a source of pride and entitlement to them. God had made a covenant with Abraham, setting the Jews apart as chosen people, and - in their mind - excluding all others.

I think Paul makes two subtle, but very important points in this first sentence as he sets up for an extensive explanation of what really happened between God and Abraham, and how wrong the Jews had been taught by their ancestors.

1. Paul uses the word "we" here. He was a Jew as well. He related to the Jews that were no doubt feeling under attack by his teachings. In Galatians 1:13,14 Paul tells of his former passion for the Jewish belief system and his disdain for Christians.

For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.

Paul related to the Jewish leaders that he was explaining the gospel to, he had been on their side not too long ago, and he fully understood the confusion and frustration they were feeling.

No false doctrine is acceptable, no matter how long it has been taught. We MUST understand the importance of testing with bible anything teaching that is handed down to us.

Each of us will be held accountable for what we believe as individuals, according to the only pure truth, the Word of God.

2. Paul refers to Abraham as their forefather according to the flesh. He takes this opportunity to eliminate any idea that Abraham was anything more than a servant of our true Father. This was what Abraham would have wanted them to understand, yet they had put him up on a pedestal.

No one -  no leader, no early church father, no church founder, no preacher, no one - should ever become so important to us and what we believe that we put them or their teachings up on a pedestal in place of a relationship with our Father



For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

In this sentence, Paul explains why Abraham (or any believer, every) was not justified by works, his obedience to God. If anyone were to be justified by works (by their effort to satisfy the laws and commands of God), they would then have reason to boast. However, as Paul has written:

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. Romans 3:27

Not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Eph. 2:9

Not only does any attempt to justify, or prove ourselves before a perfect God completely undermine grace, it provides an opportunity for us to boast...which is an abomination in the presence of our holy, truly righteous God.



For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." 

Now, Paul goes to Old Testament Scripture, which the Jews would have been very familiar with, and interprets it properly. 
 
And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. Gen. 15:6

Abraham was not justified because of any work that he performed, but simply because he believed, trusted, had faith in what God had promised him. As we have touched on in previous verses, even this faith that is the foundation and path to salvation, is the gift of God.


Father, thank You for not leaving our relationship with you dependent on us. Thank you for loving us and providing for us a relationship with you in spite of our inability to live according to your perfect standards. Please forgive us when we trip, pick us up, and continually reveal to us sin in our lives that is hindering our relationship with you. We pray for strength to purge these sins from our lives daily, to the praise of Your glory! In Your Son's name, Amen!