The Role of Faith in Justification
Presented by Daniel Segraves
The doctrine of justification found in the New Testament is rooted in Abraham’s experience, who “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (
Romans 4:3). New Testament believers are said to stand in solidarity with Abraham – the father of all who believe – in justification.
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised (
Romans 4:11-12).
The event in view in
Romans 4:3 is recorded in
Genesis 15:5-6:
Then He brought him outside and said, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
Abraham’s only response to God’s promise at this point was that “he believed in the LORD.” The verb “!ma”, translated “believed,” indicates that Abraham trusted God to keep His promise. It is significant for the doctrine of justification that no other response was expected or possible at this point. Although the genuineness of Abraham’s faith was later demonstrated in a tangible way as he offered Isaac, it serves Paul’s purpose to focus on the fact that Abraham was justified apart from and prior to works. Even circumcision, although it was a command of God, was a “sign,” “a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised” (
Romans 4:11).
Paul’s point is that the only requirement for justification is genuine faith. Although faith results in obedience to God’s commands, justification occurs at the point
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