Salvation — justification by faith
Romans 4–5
Romans — five movements
Five movements, one gospel — argued in order from the universal verdict to the renewed life of the redeemed body of Christ.
What the law could not do, God did, sending his own Son (8:3 anticipates the argument). With every mouth stopped, Paul announces what the law and the prophets witnessed (3:21): a righteousness from God, by faith, for everyone who believes. Chapters 4 and 5 unfold this — Abraham as the historical proof case, the Second Adam as the cosmic frame.
Abraham's faith was reckoned to him for righteousness (4:3 quoting Gen 15:6). Note when: before circumcision (4:10), before the law (4:13). Justification by faith is not a New-Covenant innovation; it is the original covenant pattern, with Abraham its prototype. Then chapter 5: peace with God, access by faith, the love of God commended in Christ's death for the ungodly (5:8), and the great Adam-Christ correspondence (5:12–21) — by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, by one man's obedience many shall be made righteous.
Key movements
4:1–25 — Abraham, the prototype
Reckoned righteous when uncircumcised, before the giving of the law. He staggered not at the promise. Henry: 'Abraham believed God; this is mentioned as the great glory of his life.'
5:1–11 — Peace, access, hope, love
Justified by faith we have peace with God. The fivefold benefits: peace, access, hope, suffering working patience, and the shed-abroad love of God by the Holy Ghost. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
5:12–21 — The Second Adam
Sin reigned through Adam unto death; grace reigns through Jesus Christ unto eternal life. The great parallel — and the great asymmetry: where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
Key verses
- Romans 4:3
Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
- Romans 5:1
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God.
- Romans 5:8
While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. JFB: 'the unanswerable demonstration.'
Christ in this section
Christ is the substance of justification. Abraham believed God; Christians believe in him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead — the same faith looking forward and looking back.