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Time after Pentecost · Proper 5 · Year A

Romans 4:13-25

Abraham Justified by Faith

June 7, 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 came through the righteousness of faith. Abraham believed, hoping against hope.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)
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 9:9-13Mt 9:9-13
EpistleRom. 4:13-25Rom 4:13-25
Old TestamentHos. 5:15-6:6Hos 5:15-6:6
PsalterPs. 119:65-72Ps 119:65-72

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

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

The Lutheran lectionary voice on Abraham as the model of faith in God's promise.

Romans 4 CommentaryRom 4 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse study of Abraham believing God against hope.

Romans 4:13 CommentariesRom 4:13 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators gathered on the promise received through faith.

Romans 4:13-25 CommentaryRom 4:13-25 Commentary Precept Austin

Detailed verse by verse study notes on Romans 4:13-25.

Barnes' Notes: Romans 4Barnes' Notes: Rom 4 StudyLight

A historic verse by verse commentary on the passage.

Background & Word Study

Book of Romans OverviewBook of Rom Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of the letter's argument that righteousness comes by faith.

Romans 4:13 InterlinearRom 4:13 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word of the promise through the righteousness of faith.

The Church Fathers

Romans 4 - CatenaRom 4 - Catena Catena

Patristic comment on Abraham's faith reckoned as righteousness from 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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