Faith Not Works: How Abraham Was Justified Without the Law -

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.
(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.

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