Pentecost Season · Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A
Romans 4:18-25
Abraham Justified by Faith
June 7, 2026
Overview & Insights
“In hope he believed against hope… fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:18, 21)
The general context of Romans 4 is that it continues the discussion of 3:27–31: the latter states that justification is by faith, while the former illustrates that principle from the life of Abraham. We may correlate these two passages in this way: 1. Justification is by faith (3:27–28; 4:1–8) 2. Justification by faith is for Jews and Gentiles (3:29–30; 4:9–17) More specifically, Romans 4:1–8 unfolds the first two of Paul’s arguments that Abraham was accepted by God by faith: 1. Theological argument (4:1–5) a. Negatively, Abraham had no merit before God (4:1–2) b. Positively, Abraham was reckoned righteous by God’s grace (4:3–5) 2. Hermeneutical argument—gezerah shawah (4:6–8) a. Genesis 15:6 (4:6 [cf. 4:3, 5]) b. Psalm 32:1–2 (4:7–8)
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Commentary
Romans 4 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse notes on Abraham believing against hope.
Romans 4:18 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries gathered for faith credited to Abraham as righteousness.
Romans 4 Resources Precept Austin
Collected commentaries and sermons on Romans 4 and the faith of Abraham.
The Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre
Brant Pitre's video treatment of the Second Reading and how it fits the Sunday.
Background & Word Study
Romans 4:18 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text and word study for hope, faith, promise, and being reckoned righteous.
Overview: Romans BibleProject
Animated overview of the letter's argument about faith and righteousness.
Covenants BibleProject
Background on the promise to Abraham that Paul reads as the basis of faith.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
How is Abraham the father of faith?
Against all hope Abraham trusted God's promise, and it was counted to him as righteousness; the same faith is reckoned to us who believe in the God who raised Jesus.
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