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Lenten Season · Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary · Year A

Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22

Abraham Justified by Faith

March 20, 2026

Abraham's Vision: the smoking furnace and the flaming torch, Unknown French/Netherlandish illuminator
Abraham's Vision: the smoking furnace and the flaming torch, Unknown French/Netherlandish illuminator, 14th centuryMuseum Meermanno | Huis van het Boek, The Hague, MMW 10 B 23, fol. 22r (CC0)
The night the covenant was cut: Abraham on his knees, the halved animals laid out, and fire coming down out of a dark cloud.The promise to Abraham and his descendants did not come through the law but through the righteousness that comes from faith.Unknown French/Netherlandish illuminatorA manuscript painter whose name is lost, working in a Bible made to be read aloud.Museum Meermanno | Huis van het Boek, The Hague, MMW 10 B 23, fol. 22r (CC0)Museum Meermanno, The Hague.Museum Meermanno | Huis van het Boek, The Hague, MMW 10 B 23, fol. 22r (CC0)
Roman Lectionary
GospelMt. 1:16, 18-21, 24aMt 1:16, 18-21, 24a orLuke 2:41-51aLk 2:41-51a
Second ReadingRom. 4:13, 16-18, 22Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22
First Reading2 Sam. 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 162 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
Responsorial PsalmPs. 89:2-3, 4-5, 27+29 (37)Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27+29 (37)

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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Take it further: Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22

Commentary

Commentary on Romans 4:13-25Commentary on Rom 4:13-25 Working Preacher

The RCL Lent 2 page on Abraham's faith reckoned to him as righteousness.

Romans 4:13-25 CommentaryRom 4:13-25 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed reading of the promise received by grace through faith, not law.

Romans 4 Commentary: Abraham and David DemonstrateRom 4 Commentary: Abraham and David Demonstrate Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse-by-verse on Abraham as the pattern of justification by faith.

Romans Commentaries & SermonsRom Commentaries & Sermons Precept Austin

An exhaustive collection of study links and sermons on Romans 4.

Background & Word Study

Book of Romans Summary (Overview, Part 1)Book of Rom Summary (Overview, Part 1) BibleProject

Animated overview of the flow of thought through Romans 1 to 4.

Romans 4:13 InterlinearRom 4:13 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word-by-word of the promise coming through faith.

The Church Fathers

Romans 4 - Catena Bible & CommentariesRom 4 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comment on Abraham's faith from the Church Fathers.

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