How does Romans 4:24 connect with Ephesians 2:8-9 on salvation by faith? Foundations: Abraham’s Pattern for Us Romans 4 lays down a historical precedent—Abraham was “credited” with righteousness because he believed God (Romans 4:3, 22). Verse 24 pulls that story into the present: • “but also for us, to whom righteousness will be credited—for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” (Romans 4:24) • The same divine accounting that counted Abraham righteous now counts every believer righteous. • The basis is not moral achievement but faith in the God who truly, literally raised Jesus. Grace and Faith: Ephesians 2:8-9 in Focus • “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) • Salvation is God’s unearned favor (grace) received through trusting dependence (faith). • Works are excluded as a ground of merit; boasting is silenced. Shared Vocabulary, Same Message 1. Credited righteousness (Romans 4:24) = Gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8). 2. “Believe” (Romans 4:24) and “faith” (Ephesians 2:8) are identical responses—personal trust in God’s completed work. 3. Absence of works: – Romans 4:5: “to the one who does not work but believes… his faith is credited as righteousness.” – Ephesians 2:9: “not by works.” 4. Result: eternal life grounded in Christ’s resurrection (Romans 4:24) and secured by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8). Supporting Passages That Echo the Theme • Genesis 15:6 — Abraham “believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” • John 3:16 — whoever believes “shall not perish but have eternal life.” • Titus 3:5 — “He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy.” • Galatians 2:16 — “a man is not justified by works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ.” Why Romans 4:24 Bridges to Ephesians 2:8-9 • Romans pinpoints the moment righteousness is credited; Ephesians explains the mechanism—grace channeled through faith. • Together they show salvation is a single act of God: He graciously grants what faith receives. • Both passages protect the gospel from legalism and self-reliance, insisting on Christ’s finished work. Living Out Credited Righteousness • Rest: Stop striving to earn favor; Christ’s resurrection proves the debt is paid (Romans 4:25). • Gratitude: Good works flow from thankfulness, not from a need to secure salvation (Ephesians 2:10). • Assurance: If righteousness is credited by faith, it cannot be lost by fluctuating performance (John 10:28-29). Key Takeaways • Salvation is entirely God’s gift, rooted in grace, accessed by faith. • Romans 4:24 and Ephesians 2:8-9 speak with one voice: believe in the risen Lord, and God credits righteousness apart from works. • The gospel liberates—boasting is gone, worship and obedience remain. |
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