Paul concluded that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (3:23) to show that no one - no Jew, nor any Gentile - is sufficiently righteous within themselves to meet God’s perfect standard. No works, no effort, no striving will make you perfect and holy.
We can almost hear people stammering, “But... But... But...”, and “But what about Abraham, the ‘father’ of our nation? But, what about David, our king? Doesn't that prove the Jews and their Law please God?”
1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?
2 For 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 AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."
V. 1 - “What then shall we say that Abraham... has found?” - What do you think Abraham would say about faith versus works? Would Abraham claim to be righteous because of the things he did?
V. 2 - “For if Abraham was justified by works” - This is the discussion question: What did Abraham DO? Which of Abraham’s actions prompted God to honor him with the promises?
A brief run-down of Abraham’s history:
- God tells Abraham to pick up everything, to leave his home country and go where God will show (Gen. 12:1-4). He and Sarah go to the Canaanite lands west of the Jordan River.
- Because of a famine in the land, Abraham goes to Egypt, where he passes his wife off as his sister (she’s beautiful, and he’s afraid for his life) (Gen. 12:11-17). The famine theme is repeated later in Genesis (Gen. 41:54ff)
- They return and settle near Bethel (much richer than when they left, by the way), where Abraham builds an altar and worships God (Gen. 13:4).
- God promises all the land Abraham can see. Abraham again offers worship to God (Gen. 13:14-20).
- Abraham defeats kings who captured Lot, then offers sacrifices with Melchizedek, giving him a tithe. (Gen. 14:14-20).
- God promises an heir to Abraham, and lots (no pun intended) of descendants (Gen. 15:4-6).
- Abraham believes this promise, which results in him being called ‘righteous’. Sarah is more impatient, and so convinces Abraham to use their slave girl, Hagar, to ‘help’ God in fulfilling the promise (Gen. 16:2ff). This one proves to create long-term problems.
- Abraham turns 100 years old, and Sarah gets pregnant bearing a son, despite being over the age of 90. (Gen. 21:2).
“He has something to boast about, but not before God” - Which of these incidents deserves such high praise - lying about Sarah being his sister? Using Hagar as a surrogate heir which God had promised to Abraham (Gen. 15:4-6)? Hagar has a son, and Abraham treats her callously? I would propose those were not Abraham’s better moments.
V. 3 - “For what does the Scripture say?” - Abraham’s response of faith was proof of genuine loyalty (See: Gen. 15:6) and followed the promise of an heir to Abraham and Sarah. It was not just that single response though. Abraham believed God would show where he was to go, so he was obedient and went. Abraham believed God was giving him the land where he was standing, so he offered a sacrifice on an altar. Abraham believed God was merciful and pleaded for Sodom and Gomorrah. He rescued Lot from four kings, and used only 318 soldiers. He honored God, and was blessed by a ‘Most High Priest of the Most Holy God’.
What is harder to believe: (1)God would actually show you where He wants you to settle, how ever much land you can see is yours because God is going to give it to you? Or: (2) God is blessing you through a priest, and you are going to have a son now that you are over 90 years old?
Which makes more sense? Does either seem reasonable? Abraham believed God’s promises and commands, and showed that belief by obedience and worship.
Abraham was a complicated human: not standing up for his wife. Fighting to rescue his nephew. Accepting the gift of land from God, and giving part of it to Lot to avoid conflicts with their sheep herds. Defeating enemy kings, but taking no tribute from another king. Believing God, but “helping” God by having a child by a slave girl.
For me, Abraham’s biggest, most impressive display of faith in God is when he obeyed God in offering his son as a sacrifice. He believed that if Isaac was offered, God would recompense. His promise would be fulfilled even if it was not to be Isaac! God stopped Abraham, confirming Isaac as the promised heir of blessing and of nations.
Side note: Several of the heroes of the OT were flawed men, yet were “God’s men”. As mentioned above, Abraham was not perfect. Moses led the nation Israel out of Egypt, but was an imperfect leader, sometimes whiny, sometimes stubborn, but still overall doing God’s will. King David was impetuous, violent, lustful and yet a man after God’s heart. (See: 1 Sam. 13:14; 1 Cor. 16:7, 13)
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