TyndaleStudyNotes
Rom.4.1
4:1 Jews in Paul’s day revered Abraham as Israel’s founder. Some Jewish texts claim that Abraham never sinned (Prayer of Manasseh 8; Jubilees 23:10). Others emphasize his obedience to the law of Moses as the basis for his relationship with God (1 Maccabees 2:52; Sirach 44:19-20). However, Paul demonstrates that Abraham’s faith, not his obedience, established...
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4:1 Jews in Paul’s day revered Abraham as Israel’s founder. Some Jewish texts claim that Abraham never sinned (Prayer of Manasseh 8; Jubilees 23:10). Others emphasize his obedience to the law of Moses as the basis for his relationship with God (1 Maccabees 2:52; Sirach 44:19-20). However, Paul demonstrates that Abraham’s faith, not his obedience, established his status with God. Abraham’s position as the founder of God’s people demonstrates that justification by faith is central in God’s plan.
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TyndaleStudyNotes
Rom.4.10
4:10 God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised! Paul’s point is simple: God’s declaration of Abraham’s righteousness in Gen 15:6 could not have been based on his circumcision, which happened later (Gen 17). This point further demonstrates that God’s acceptance and blessing is a free gift and not earned by works.
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TyndaleStudyNotes
Rom.4.11-12
4:11-12 When God instituted circumcision, he called it “a sign of the covenant” between himself and Abraham (Gen 17:11). The covenant was already in place (Gen 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-8) even before Abraham was circumcised (Gen 17:9-14). This shows that the covenant was based on faith, not circumcision. So Abraham is the spiritual father of all people, whether...
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4:11-12 When God instituted circumcision, he called it “a sign of the covenant” between himself and Abraham (Gen 17:11). The covenant was already in place (Gen 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-8) even before Abraham was circumcised (Gen 17:9-14). This shows that the covenant was based on faith, not circumcision. So Abraham is the spiritual father of all people, whether circumcised (Jews) or uncircumcised (Gentiles), who have the same kind of faith Abraham had—that is, faith in God’s promises (Rom 4:13-25).
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TyndaleStudyNotes
Rom.4.13
4:13 the whole earth: God told Abraham that he would be the father of many nations (4:17; Gen 12:2; 13:16; 15:5; 17:4-6, 16-20; 22:17) and that he would be the means of blessing to all people (Gen 12:3; 18:18; 22:18; cp. Isa 55:3-5).
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