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SSS4 : Epistle to the Romans : Lesson 14

Text: Romans 4
9 July 2017

A. IMPORTANT TENETS (THE JEWISH MINDSET)

1. The rite of Circumcision

2. Father Abraham

3. The Promise given to Abraham and his seed (“heir of the world”) Romans 4:13

4. The Law

B. The Law

1. A reference to the Mosaic Law

2. A reference to the Old Testament (as a whole)

3. A reference to the holy Scriptures

C. View of the Law

1. There must be strict adherence

2. The Law is vital to bringing about justification from God

3. Only in the keeping of the law would the promise of God to be an heir be fulfilled

D. Paul’s answer

1. If the above argument is true (That is, the keeping of the law brings justification)

2. Then “Faith” is made void

3. The “Promise” would have no effect (Romans 4:14)

E. An honest view of the Law

1. The Law brings about the wrath of God

2. It highlights the problem of “transgression” (Romans 4:15)

3. No one can keep the Law (Romans 3)

4. All have fallen far short of the Divine Law (Romans 3:23)

F. An argument for “Faith”

1. Faith is what God saw in Abraham and justified him (Romans 4:9)

2. Faith according to grace (Romans 4:16)

3. Through faith the promise is given to the “seed” of Abraham (Romans 4:16)

a) To those who are of the Law (The Jews)
b) To those who are of the same faith as Abraham (Gentiles)
c) Abraham is the father of all who have faith (Jews and Gentiles)

G. Argument from the Example of Abraham

1. As it is written Romans 4:17

a) Paul cited the Scriptures
b) This was his source of authority

2. God’s word to Abraham

“I have made you a father of many nations (Romans 4:17)

a) Father status
b) Many nations (Not just Israel)
c) Other nations (Gentile nations)