Pentecost Season · Proper 5 · Year A
Romans 4:13-25
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
Commentary on Romans 4:13-25 Working Preacher
Lectionary commentary on Abraham as the model of faith that trusts God's promise.
Romans 4 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse notes on Abraham believing God against hope.
Romans 4:13 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries collected for the promise received through faith.
Romans 4:13-25 Commentary Precept Austin
Precept Austin's detailed verse-by-verse commentary on Romans 4:13-25.
Background & Word Study
Romans 4:13 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text and word study for promise, faith, and reckoning as righteous.
Overview: Romans BibleProject
Animated overview of the letter's argument that righteousness comes by faith.
Covenants BibleProject
Background on the Abrahamic covenant that Paul builds his argument on.
Enter the Bible: Romans Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's introduction to Romans (background only).
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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