4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works,
he has something to boast about, but not toward God.

4:3 For what does the Scripture say?
"Abraham believed God,
and it was accounted to him for righteousness." (Gen 15:6)

4:6 Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man
to whom God counts righteousness apart from works,

4:7 "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, Whose sins are covered.
4:8 Blessed is the man whom the Lord will by no means charge with sin."
(Ps 32:1,2)

4:11 He received the sign of circumcision,
a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision,

that he might be the father of all those who believe,
though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be accounted to them.

4:12 The father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision,
but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham,
which he had in uncircumcision.

4:14 For if those who are of the law are heirs,
faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect.
4:15 For the law works wrath,
for where there is no law, neither is there disobedience.

that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed,
not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham,
who is the father of us all.

4:17 As it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations." (Gen 17:4)
This is in the presence of him whom he believed:
God, who gives life to the dead,
and calls the things that are not, as though they were.

4:18 Who in hope believed against hope,
to the end that he might become a father of many nations,
according to that which had been spoken, "So will your seed be."(Gen 15:5)
4:19 Without being weakened in faith, he didn't consider his own body,
already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old),
and the deadness of Sarah's womb.
4:20 Yet, looking to the promise of God,
he didn't waver through unbelief,
but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God,
4:21 and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
4:22 Therefore it also was "reckoned to him for righteousness."

4:23 Now it was not written that it was accounted to him for his sake alone,
4:24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted,
who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead,

4:25 who was delivered up for our trespasses,
and was raised for our justification.

James 2:18 "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works."

On the other hand those who put their faith in these applications to justify themselves are also not qualified to receive the righteousness which is by faith. For the object of their faith is not Christ, but their good works. The righteousness which is by faith must be received freely or else not at all. If one attempts to earn his salvation by his performance, such a person has a basis for boasting and takes glory away from God in that he rejects the idea that God is gracious enough to justify the wicked freely through the forgiveness of their sins.

Some argue saying that the Bible says that one must "do something" to be saved, they must "believe", and then proceed to say that since "doing something" can be called a work, therefore one is justified by works. While it is true that "believing" is "doing something", the Bible does not categorize "believing" as a "work", as Romans 4:4,5 declares."Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."

"Faith" and "Hope" are similar in that they refer to ideas in the mind and attitudes of the heart but they themselves are not physical actions, though there may be physical actions which are outworkings of them.

vs 5 "trusts"(NIV) = greek word "pisteuo" = "believes" as it is translated elsewhere in the chapter. "faith" = greek word "pistis", simply the noun form of "to believe".

vs 6-8 Indicate the imputed righteousness offered by Christ is simply the forgiveness of sins. This is essentially the righteousness. Developing righteous behavior in us is another aspect of salvation - salvation from our innate sinfulness. But that is not the righteousness he is referring to here. He is speaking of justification rather than sanctification.

vs 9+ Abraham was a Gentile when he was reckoned righteous by faith in God's promise. Here Paul draws out the continuity between the gospel and the Old Testament, showing that the Gentile believers are covered under the covenant God made with Abraham and are therefore also sons of the faith.

vs 11 Circumcision was meant to be a sign and seal of the righteousness which is given by faith in God's promise. One cannot obtain righteousness by circumcision or baptism. These are simply meant as symbols.
Qualities of the Christian's saving faith

• Fully Persuaded, Unwavering
• Convinced that God has given a promise to him
• Convinced that God is faithful to keep His promise
• Convinced that God is able to do what He promised
• disregarding impossible circumstances