(Romans 4:1 KJV) What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
(Romans 4:2 KJV) For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath [whereof] to glory; but not before God.
Abraham was justified (declared to be right ) by works, but not unto eternal life, when he offered up Isaac in Genesis 22:1-19. It was his faith coupled with his works that justified Abraham as seen by Hebrews 11:17-19. Only faith can justify unto eternal life.
Faith can be made perfect (or complete; see Deuteronomy 18:13 1 Kings 8:61) by works as seen in James 2:22, and righteousness imputed because faith generated obedience.
(Romans 4:3 KJV) For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
It must be recognized that Abraham was declared righteous by believing God in Genesis 15:6 before the covenant of Genesis 15:18. Paul here was speaking of Abraham being justified before the covenant and James 2:21 was speaking of Abraham being justified under covenant:
(Genesis 15:5-6 KJV) 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
(Genesis 15:18 KJV) In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
(Romans 4:4 KJV) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
In Exodus 19:5-6 below, these words are not to us, but unto the children of Israel. Israel had to believe on the Lord for eternal life, but had to obey to be a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation to reign with Christ in the kingdom on earth:
(Exodus 19:5-6 KJV) 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
(Romans 4:5 KJV) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
We are commanded to work not for justification unto eternal life. It is the ungodly that Christ justifies.
Whoever believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, their faith, as Abraham, is counted for righteousness.
Faith is not a work. Faith is being persuaded that what God says is true and he is willing and able to fulfill it (Romans 4:20-21). Faith must be placed on the correct object; it is the faith of Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16); Jesus Christ is the object of our faith.
(Romans 4:2 KJV) For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath [whereof] to glory; but not before God.
Abraham was justified (declared to be right ) by works, but not unto eternal life, when he offered up Isaac in Genesis 22:1-19. It was his faith coupled with his works that justified Abraham as seen by Hebrews 11:17-19. Only faith can justify unto eternal life.
Faith can be made perfect (or complete; see Deuteronomy 18:13 1 Kings 8:61) by works as seen in James 2:22, and righteousness imputed because faith generated obedience.
(Romans 4:3 KJV) For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
It must be recognized that Abraham was declared righteous by believing God in Genesis 15:6 before the covenant of Genesis 15:18. Paul here was speaking of Abraham being justified before the covenant and James 2:21 was speaking of Abraham being justified under covenant:
(Genesis 15:5-6 KJV) 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
(Genesis 15:18 KJV) In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
(Romans 4:4 KJV) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
In Exodus 19:5-6 below, these words are not to us, but unto the children of Israel. Israel had to believe on the Lord for eternal life, but had to obey to be a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation to reign with Christ in the kingdom on earth:
(Exodus 19:5-6 KJV) 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
(Romans 4:5 KJV) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
We are commanded to work not for justification unto eternal life. It is the ungodly that Christ justifies.
Whoever believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, their faith, as Abraham, is counted for righteousness.
Faith is not a work. Faith is being persuaded that what God says is true and he is willing and able to fulfill it (Romans 4:20-21). Faith must be placed on the correct object; it is the faith of Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16); Jesus Christ is the object of our faith.
