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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Romans 4
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary ,which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS
A. Paul's shocking theology stated in Rom_3:21-31 asserted that fallen mankind was declared to be right with God as a free gift, totally apart from the Law of Moses. Obviously Paul had Jewish opposition in mind! Paul now attempts to prove that his gospel was no innovation (cf. Rom_3:21 b) by giving OT examples from both Abraham and David (cf. Rom_4:6-8).
B. Romans 4 presents evidence drawn from the Law of Moses, Genesis - Deuteronomy, for the doctrine of justification by grace through faith. This is summarized in Rom_3:21-31. For a Jew, a quote from the writings of Moses had great theological weight, especially relating to Abraham, who was seen as the father of the Jewish nation. David was seen as a type of the coming Messiah (cf. 2 Samuel 7).
C. The tension in Rome between believing Jews and believing Gentiles may have been the occasion for this discussion. It is possible that the Jewish Christian leaders felt forced by Nero (who cancelled all Jewish rituals) to leave Rome. In the interim they were replaced by Gentile Christian leaders. The return of the first group caused controversy as to who should be in leadership positions.
D. Romans 4 shows that fallen mankind has always been saved by God's grace through faith and repentance toward God in relation to the spiritual light they have (Gen_15:6; Rom_4:3). In many ways the New Covenant (gospel, cf. Jer_31:31-34; Eze_36:22-38) is not radically different from the Old Covenant.
E. This way of righteousness by grace through faith is open to all, not just the Patriarchs or national Israel. Paul is here developing and extending his theological argument using Abraham, which he had earlier developed in Galatians 3.
F. I must admit that as an evangelical, Rom_3:21-31; Rom_4:1-25; Rom_5:1-21 and Galatians 3 are crucial texts. They explain Christianity in a way that I can understand! My hope lies in
1. the grace of God
2. the work of Christ
3. the trustworthiness of Scripture
4. the clear writings of Paul
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Why is this section of Romans so important?
2. Why did Paul use Abraham and David as examples?
3. Define the following key words, according to Paul's usage (not your definition)
a. "righteousness"
b. "reckoned"
c. "faith"
d. "promise"
4. Why was circumcision so important to the Jews (Rom_4:9-12)?
5. To whom does "the seed" refer to in Rom_4:13; Rom_4:16?