One of Paul’s most brilliant arguments for salvation by faith is his use of Abraham. By looking at Romans 4 and Galatians 3, we see Paul using the “Father of the Faithful” to prove that God’s way of saving people has always been the same—even before the Law of Moses existed.
The timeline is the key: Abraham was declared righteous by God 430 years before the Law was given at Mount Sinai. If the Law (works) were necessary for salvation, then the very father of the faith would not be saved. Paul uses this historical fact to silence the idea that we must keep rules to receive salvation.
Understanding Paul’s Argument
In Romans 4, Paul dismantles the idea of merit-based salvation by contrasting wages with grace. He argues that if Abraham were saved by his works, God would “owe” him salvation as a debt. Instead, Paul shows that righteousness is counted or credited to the believer’s account solely through faith. He also highlights that Abraham was declared righteous before he was circumcised, proving that religious rituals are merely outward signs of an inward faith that already exists.
Furthermore, Paul emphasizes the promise. He explains that the inheritance given to Abraham didn’t come through the Law—which only brings wrath by exposing our failure—but through the righteousness of faith. By focusing on Abraham’s unwavering belief in God’s power to bring life from the “deadness” of his own body and Sarah’s womb, Paul demonstrates that true faith is being fully persuaded that God is able to perform exactly what He promised.
The Complete Argument in Romans 4 (KJV)
(1) What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? (2) For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. (3) For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (4) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (6) Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, (7) Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. (8) Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
(9) Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. (10) How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. (11) And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: (12) And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
(13) For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. (14) For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: (15) Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. (16) Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not only to that which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (17) (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. (18) Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
(19) And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: (20) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (21) And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. (22) And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. (23) Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; (24) But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (25) Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
The Proof in Galatians 3
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul uses Abraham to correct a dangerous error: the idea that faith in Christ must be supplemented by keeping the Law (works). He reminds the Galatians that the blessing of Abraham was always intended for all nations through faith. By pointing to the covenant God made with Abraham, Paul proves that the Law—which arrived centuries later—cannot disannul or cancel the original promise of grace. To go back to the Law for salvation is to ignore the very foundation of how the “Father of the Faithful” was accepted by God.
“Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Galatians 3:6-8)
“And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.” (Galatians 3:17-18)
To gain a full understanding of how the Law relates to the promise, it is highly recommended that you read the entire context of this argument. Please study Galatians 3:1-29 to see how Paul concludes that the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
The Conclusion of the Test
The “Abraham Test” reveals a simple truth: If the Law was necessary for salvation, why was the Father of the Faithful justified without it? Abraham is the living proof that the inheritance comes by promise and is received by faith. We serve God today not to earn a salvation we don’t have, but out of gratitude for a promise that was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Related Posts:
Faith Not Works: The 98-Fold Witness of John
Faith Not Works: Salvation in Acts
Faith Not Works: The 60-Fold Witness of Romans
Faith Not Works: 6 Times Paul Rebukes the Law in Galatians
Faith Not Works: The Unified Voice of Paul’s Epistles
Faith Not Works: Reconciling Paul’s Gospel & James’s Discipleship