“1 What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about — but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness.”
Paul will use the next chapter and a half to expand on what it means to have faith, and how one obtains righteousness. Paul uses Abraham (previously called Abram in early Genesis) as an example of faith-based righteousness. The Jews might say that their forefather Abraham was justified and made righteous through his adherence to the law, but Paul says not so: “If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about — but not before God.” (v. 2) So then, nothing that Abraham did, or could have done, earned him any righteousness whatsoever. He was a lawbreaker, just like the rest of us, and was born into sin as a descendant of Adam. (See Romans 5, Death in Adam, Life in Christ, page 101) Not one human being has ever earned their salvation. Nothing we can do is enough to declare us righteous in God’s sight, and nothing we have is worthy of boasting before God. The only thing, the only person, we can boast in is Jesus! If this is the case, why did God choose us at all? What is the purpose of choosing those who are weak and shameful to be saved from their sin and spend eternity with God?
“Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world — what is viewed as nothing — to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one may boast in his presence. It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us — our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption — in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
“‘This is what the Lord says: ‘The wise person should not boast in his wisdom; the strong should not boast in his strength; the wealthy should not boast in his wealth. But the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows me — that I am the Lord, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things.’ This is the Lord’s declaration.’” — Jeremiah 9:23-24
What does declare us righteous before God is our faith and belief in God who saves us through His Son Jesus. Paul says that Abraham was credited as righteous because of his faith. God’s Word in Genesis attests to this:
“Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” — Genesis 15:6
In the devotionals ahead, we’ll dive more deeply into these topics of faith-based salvation and righteousness.