| SUMMARY: | The Apostle Paul takes up the first of the three ideas he deals with in declaring our justification, whether or not it is by the law or by faith. He demonstrates that it is by faith by showing that both Abraham and David were justified by faith, not by keeping the Law. |
| I. Abraham was Justified by Faith. | VERSES 4:1-3 | |
| A. The Question: | What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? | (1) |
| B. The Answer: | ||
| 1. IF: | For if Abraham was justified by works | (2a) |
| 2. THEN: | ||
| a. Positively: | he has something to boast about, | (2b) |
| b. Negatively: | but not before God. | (2c) |
| C. The Scripture: | For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Genesis 15:6 |
(3) |
| II. The Principle | VERSES 4:4-5 | |
| A. Concerning Works: | ||
| 1. The Person: | Now to the one who works, | (4a) |
| 2. The Result: | ||
| a. Negatively: | his wage is not credited as a favor, | (4b) |
| b. Positively: | but as what is due. | (4c) |
| B. Concerning Faith | ||
| 1. The Person: | ||
| a. Negatively: | But to the one who does not work, | (5a) |
| b. Positively | but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, | (5b) |
| 2. The Result: | his faith is credited as righteousness, | (5c) |
| III. David was Justified by Faith | VERSES 4:6-8 | |
| A. The Main Idea: | ||
| 1. The Author: | just as David also speak | (6a) |
| 2. His Subject: | of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: | (6b) |
| B. The Scripture | “BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.” Psalm 32:1-2 |
(7-8) |