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Romans 4:13-25 — Sermon Prep & Expository Preaching Guide

Scripture

Romans 4:13-25

Historical Background · Verse-by-Verse Commentary · Reception History

What is the historical and cultural background of Romans 4:13-25?

To read Romans 4:13-25 rightly, we must grasp what was at work in the minds of Paul's first-century Jewish hearers the moment he reached for Abraham. For Abraham was no mere ancient patriarch; he was the figure in whom the identity and pride of the Jewish people were concentrated.

Abraham in First-Century Judaism — the Model of Covenant and Law-Keeping

References

  1. Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 44 (Ben Sira), the encomium of Abraham.
  2. 2 Maccabees 1:2.
  3. Jubilees 15:11.
  4. Niehoff, M. R., "A Roman Portrait of Abraham in Paul's and Philo's Later Exegesis," *Novum Testamentum* 63 (2021): 452-476. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/15685365-12341713 *(based on the publicly available abstract)*
  5. Matjaž, M., "Paul's Understanding of the Law and Works of the Law in Galatians: The New Perspective on Paul and a New Look at Paul's Relationship to Judaism," *Edinost in Dialog* 75 (2020): 51-71. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34291/Edinost/75/02/Matjaz
  6. Aulus Gellius, *Noctes Atticae* 5.13 (on the order and hierarchy of obligations).

What does each verse of Romans 4:13-25 mean?

> This section is a detailed exposition that synthesizes the methodology of public-domain commentaries, the patristic and homiletical traditions, and modern scholarly articles to illuminate the meaning of each verse from multiple angles. In keeping with the request to strengthen the Reformed perspective, the "Commentary" for each verse explicitly foregrounds the angles of covenant theology, the sovereignty of God, justification by faith, and imputation.

4:13 — The foundation of the promise is not the law but the righteousness of faith

References

  1. Worthington, J. D., "Creatio ex Nihilo and Romans 4.17 in Context," *New Testament Studies* 62 (2015): 49-59. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/s0028688515000387 *(based on the publicly available abstract)*
  2. Rieger, J., "Hoping against Hope: Dealing with Hopelessness in Ancient Times and Today," *Religions* 11 (2020): 331. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rel11070331

How has Romans 4:13-25 been interpreted and preached throughout church history?

Explores how this passage has been interpreted and preached throughout church history, based on academic sources.

5.1 The Patristic Interpretive Tradition

> This section presents how the early church fathers (1st-5th centuries) read and interpreted this passage, drawing on the ANF (Ante-Nicene Fathers) and NPNF (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers) literature.

The Apostolic Fathers and the Apologists / 1st-2nd centuries — the circulation of Abraham's faith

References

  1. 1 Clement, *First Epistle to the Corinthians* (ANF Vol. 1, Schaff ed.).
  2. Justin Martyr, *Dialogue with Trypho* (ANF Vol. 1).
  3. Origen, *Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans* (Origen commentary tradition, ANF/FOTC series).
  4. Augustine, *Anti-Pelagian Writings* (NPNF Series 1, Vol. 5).
  5. Chrysostom, *Homilies on Romans*, Homily VIII (commentary on Rom 4), in NPNF Series 1, Vol. 11.
  6. Chrysostom, *Homilies on Romans*, Homily VIII (commentary on Rom 4), in NPNF Series 1, Vol. 11.
  7. Calvin, J., *Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans* (commentary on Rom 4:13-22), CTS ed.
  8. Henry, M., *Commentary on the Whole Bible*, Vol. 6 (commentary on Rom 4).
  9. Edwards, J., "Justification by Faith Alone," Discourse I (Rom 4:5), in *The Works of Jonathan Edwards*, Vol. 1.
  10. Spurgeon, C. H., "How Is Salvation Received?" Sermon No. 1347 (Rom 4:16), *Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit*, Vol. 23 (1877).

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