How does Romans 4:24 affirm the concept of faith over works for righteousness? Romans 4:24 “but also for us, to whom righteousness will be credited—those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” Literary Context Within Romans Chs. 3–5 form Paul’s sustained legal-forensic argument. After pronouncing universal guilt (3:9–20), he announces God’s righteousness “apart from the Law” (3:21). Abraham is introduced (4:1–22) as the prototypical recipient of imputed righteousness “apart from works” (4:6). Verse 24 concludes the section by extending the same principle to all post-Calvary believers, explicitly tying justifying faith to the resurrection. Abraham As The Test Case Genesis 15:6 (LXX: “ἐπίστευσεν … καὶ ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ”) anchors Paul’s thesis. Abraham, an uncircumcised Mesopotamian (Joshua 24:2), was declared righteous decades before the giving of the Law (Exodus 20) and before the covenant sign of circumcision (Genesis 17). Paul argues a fortiori: if righteousness could not come by ceremonial obedience then, it cannot now. Faith Over Works Explicitly Mooted 1. Negative Assertion (4:2): “If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about—but not before God.” 2. Positive Assertion (4:5): “To the one who does not work but believes … faith is credited as righteousness.” 3. Universal Extension (4:24): “but also for us … those who believe.” The verse dismantles any meritorious schema: the participle “ὑπολογισθήσεται” is future passive, emphasizing God’s unilateral action toward the believer. Resurrection As Object And Guarantor Of Faith Paul defines saving faith in verse 24 as trust in “Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” The historical resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3–8, a creed dated within five years of Calvary) is presented as the linchpin verifying both Christ’s substitutionary death (4:25) and God’s capacity to credit righteousness. The empty tomb, attested by enemy admission (Matthew 28:11–15) and early eyewitness concord, demonstrates divine verdict rendered in favor of the believing sinner. Theological Synthesis With The Wider Canon • Ephesians 2:8–9—salvation “not by works, so that no one can boast.” • Galatians 3:6–9—Abrahamic promise fulfilled in faith, not Law. • Titus 3:5—“not by works of righteousness we had done.” • Isaiah 64:6 (LXX), human righteousness “as filthy rags,” anticipating imputation. • James 2:21-24, properly read, shows works vindicating (δεικνύναι) faith before men, not procuring justification before God. Objections Addressed 1. “Does passive faith promote moral laxity?” Romans 6:1–4 immediately counters; genuine faith births obedience via regeneration. 2. “Is imputation a legal fiction?” Covenant-courtroom imagery (Deuteronomy 25:1; Proverbs 17:15) shows biblical judges declare acquittal based on representation; Christ as ἱλαστήριον (propitiation, Romans 3:25) satisfies the penal demand. 3. “But James?” Paul treats the root (justification before God); James, the fruit (evidence before men). Both agree the same living faith inevitably acts (Romans 1:5; James 2:17). Practical And Behavioral Implications For the believer: assurance rests not on fluctuating performance but on God’s immutable ledger. Behavioral science notes that secure identity fosters altruism; similarly, gospel-rooted security fuels sanctified works (Galatians 5:6). For evangelism: the simplicity of “believe and live” removes cultural barriers, demonstrated in global revivals from first-century Rome to contemporary Iran where law-heavy religiosity crumbles under grace. Archeological And Historical Corroboration The Erastus inscription (Corinth, 1929 find) aligns with the Roman official named in Romans 16:23, situating the epistle in tangible history. The Nazareth Decree (c. AD 41) prohibiting grave tampering echoes early claims of an emptied tomb—context validating Paul’s resurrection focus. Eschatological Significance Future passive “will be credited” anticipates the final judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). Present justification secures eschatological vindication; believers need not fear the bar of God because the verdict has been publicly issued at the cross and vindicated in the resurrection. Conclusion Romans 4:24 declares, in past-rooted, present-experienced, and future-oriented terms, that righteousness is accredited solely through faith in the resurrecting God. By grounding salvation in belief rather than labor, Paul aligns the Gospel with the whole of biblical revelation, authentic history, and coherent human experience, leaving no room for boast save in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:31). |
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