We continue to look at Paul’s exposition of justification by faith in today’s post. Paul has already cited the example of Abraham as one who was justified apart from works. Abraham is revered as the “father of faith” and now we will look at David as “Israel’s greatest king.” The one is famous for his faith and righteousness, the other infamous for a few great sins. It’s interesting that Paul chooses David’s failures rather than his great victories to make his point. Let’s see if we can follow Paul’s logic.
Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
We see again Paul’s use of the word logizomai (translated as “reckoned” in the KJV). This is pretty straightforward. When one works and receives their wages, no grace is involved. After a 40-hour week you receive your paycheck. You may be thankful and love your job, but this is hardly considered a gracious act by your employer. You simply receive what you’ve earned. You were given what was owed to you. Grace is something altogether different.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Here is the language of grace. Abraham didn’t work for his righteousness, he simply believed in the LORD. On that basis, righteousness was “counted” (again “logizomai” in Greek) or credited to Abraham’s account. What may seem shocking at first glance is that we discover those who are justified. It’s not the godly, but rather, the ungodly! Those familiar with the Old Testament may immediately recall such scriptures as these:
Exo 23:7 Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.
Deu 25:1 If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.
The great expositor Warren Wiersbe remarked that “God justifies the ungodly-because there are no godly for Him to justify!”. Paul has already resolved this dilemma for us back in chapter 3 when he declared that God “set forth” Christ to be a propitiation for the remission of sins (Rom 3:25). Because Christ bore our sins on the Cross, God can now apply His righteousness to our account when we believe.
Rom 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Now Paul turns to David to strengthen the argument. Using the biblical principle of two witnesses, we now have an example from the law and the prophets/writings. Abraham’s faith was reckoned as righteousness by grace. Now we are going to see grace given to David apart from works. To make his point, Paul is going to quote from Psalm 32:1-2.
Rom 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
To fully appreciate this, you must be familiar with the Old Testament and David’s story in particular. Most scholars believe that David penned this Psalm after his encounter with Nathan the prophet in 2 Samuel chapter 12. David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. She became pregnant, and David conspired to have her husband Uriah killed (Uriah is memorialized in Matthew’s genealogy of Christ in Matt 1:6). At least nine months later, God sent Nathan the prophet to confront David concerning his sins. I would encourage you to read the whole story in 2 Samuel 11 and 12, but for sake of time I will only cite this one reference here.
2Sa 12:13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
David had committed at least two capital crimes (adultery and murder). Under the Law of Moses, there were no sacrifices for such willful sins. One could only expect the penalty of death. All David could do was cast himself upon the mercies of God. And look what happened…not only did God forgive David’s sin, He pardoned him from the death penalty! No wonder David’s heart erupted with praise to God in Psalm 32!
Paul has now given two great examples from the Old Testament showing righteousness apart from works. Abraham received what he did not deserve, and David didn’t get what he truly did deserve! You can either ask the LORD for a fair trial (bad idea!), or you can plead guilty and ask God for mercy. Because of what Christ did at Calvary, you and I can be righteous apart from works. I like to call that the “Great Exchange.”
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him
Tags: abraham, bible, david, faith, grace, jesus, justification, old-testament, romans, salvation
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