Romans 4

 

SECTION OUTLINE FOUR (ROMANS 4)

Paul employs two of the most famous Old Testament men to illustrate the doctrine of justification by faith.

I. The Illustration from the Life of Abraham, Israel’s Racial Father (4:1–5, 9–25)

A. Abraham and his salvation (4:1–5, 9–15)

1. What Abraham received (4:1–5): God himself canceled Abraham’s sins and declared him righteous.

2. How Abraham received it (4:1–5)

a. It did not come about by his works (4:1–2, 4).

b. It did come about by his faith (4:3, 5).

3. When Abraham received it (4:9–15)

a. He received it before he was circumcised (4:9–12).

b. He received it before the giving of the law (4:13–15).

B. Abraham and his seed (4:16–25): Paul shows the results of Abraham’s faith following his salvation.

1. Abraham’s physical seed (4:18–22)

a. The promise (4:18): God told Abraham he would bear a son through Sarah.

b. The problem (4:19): Abraham and his barren wife were too old for this.

c. The perseverance (4:20–22): Abraham continued to believe God for the impossible, and Isaac was born!

2. Abraham’s spiritual seed (4:16–17, 23–25): All Jews and Gentiles who exercise the kind of faith Abraham had are, spiritually speaking, related to Abraham, who is called the “father of all who believe.”

II. The Illustration from the Life of David, Israel’s Royal Father (4:6–8)

A. The transgressions of David (4:6): He was guilty of adultery and murder (see 2 Sam. 11:1–24).

B. The testimony of David (4:7–8): The repentant king was forgiven, cleansed, and justified by faith.