Abraham: Father of All Who Believe

Today's Reading

Read Romans 4:1-25: Paul's argument from Abraham — justified by faith, not works; before circumcision, not after; trusting a promise of God against all odds. Abraham "grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised."

Then read Genesis 15:1-6: God's promise to Abraham — descendants as numerous as the stars. "And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness."

Reflection

Paul has declared that righteousness comes through faith apart from works of the law. But wouldn't the Jewish response be: "What about Abraham? Wasn't he justified by his obedience?" Paul takes this head-on.

He goes to Genesis 15:6 — the pivotal verse in Abraham's story. God promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars. Abraham believed the promise. "And it was counted to him as righteousness." Paul builds his argument on the word "counted" (or "reckoned"). Abraham's faith was credited as righteousness — not earned by works but received as a gift.

N.T. Wright explains why Abraham is the decisive example:

"Abraham is the test case. If even the patriarch of Israel was justified by faith and not by works, then the gospel of grace is not an innovation — it is the original plan."

Paul makes a crucial chronological point: Abraham was justified in Genesis 15, but circumcision did not come until Genesis 17. This means Abraham was declared righteous before he received the sign of circumcision. Circumcision was a seal of the righteousness he already had by faith. The implication is enormous: Abraham is the father not only of the circumcised but of all who believe, whether circumcised or not.

Calvin underscores the centrality of faith:

"Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. Note well: Abraham did not work for his justification. He believed. Faith, not works, was the instrument by which the promise was received."

The chapter reaches its climax in verses 18-25. Abraham "in hope believed against hope." He was nearly a hundred years old. Sarah's womb was dead. Every natural indicator said the promise was impossible. But Abraham "did not weaken in faith." He "grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised."

And then Paul applies it: "The words 'it was counted to him' were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead." The same faith-pattern applies to us. We believe in the God who raised Jesus from the dead — and that faith is counted as righteousness.

Going Deeper

Abraham's faith was not a vague optimism. It was specific trust in a specific promise from a specific God — even when every circumstance screamed "impossible." The God who gave life to Abraham's dead hopes is the God who raised Jesus from the dead. He specializes in impossibilities. Today, identify the promise that seems most impossible in your life and choose, like Abraham, to believe the God who makes the promise.