ROMANS: THE UNGODLY ARE JUSTIFIED

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DougE

Well-known member
(Romans 4:1 KJV) What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

(Romans 4:2 KJV) For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath [whereof] to glory; but not before God.

Abraham was justified (declared to be right ) by works, but not unto eternal life, when he offered up Isaac in Genesis 22:1-19. It was his faith coupled with his works that justified Abraham as seen by Hebrews 11:17-19. Only faith can justify unto eternal life.

Faith can be made perfect (or complete; see Deuteronomy 18:13 1 Kings 8:61) by works as seen in James 2:22, and righteousness imputed because faith generated obedience.

(Romans 4:3 KJV) For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

It must be recognized that Abraham was declared righteous by believing God in Genesis 15:6 before the covenant of Genesis 15:18. Paul here was speaking of Abraham being justified before the covenant and James 2:21 was speaking of Abraham being justified under covenant:

(Genesis 15:5-6 KJV) 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

(Genesis 15:18 KJV) In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

(Romans 4:4 KJV) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

In Exodus 19:5-6 below, these words are not to us, but unto the children of Israel. Israel had to believe on the Lord for eternal life, but had to obey to be a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation to reign with Christ in the kingdom on earth:

(Exodus 19:5-6 KJV) 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

(Romans 4:5 KJV) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

We are commanded to work not for justification unto eternal life. It is the ungodly that Christ justifies.

Whoever believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, their faith, as Abraham, is counted for righteousness.

Faith is not a work. Faith is being persuaded that what God says is true and he is willing and able to fulfill it (Romans 4:20-21). Faith must be placed on the correct object; it is the faith of Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16); Jesus Christ is the object of our faith.
 
Bradley D

Bradley D

Well-known member
Faith should encourage me to do good things.

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?" (James 2:14).
 
Right Divider

Right Divider

Body part
Bradley D said:
Faith should encourage me to do good things.

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?" (James 2:14).
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Be very careful. You should not try to get YOUR doctrine for TODAY from a book that starts like this:
Jas 1:1 KJV James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
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Peter writes to the SAME GROUP in his epistles:
1Pe 1:1 KJV Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
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Instead, you should get your doctrine from the epistles for today: Paul's.
 
Bradley D

Bradley D

Well-known member
Right Divider said:
Be very careful. You should not try to get YOUR doctrine for TODAY from a book that starts like this:

Peter writes to the SAME GROUP in his epistles:

Instead, you should get your doctrine from the epistles for today: Paul's.
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Then why is James in the NT?
 
Bradley D

Bradley D

Well-known member
Right Divider said:
The NT is not an indivisible group of writings.

Is it hard for you to read and understand that first verse of James? His target audience is the TWELVE TRIBES of Israel. Do you believe that there is no meaning in that?
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It does not leave Christians out. It is a good read and doctrine.
 
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Bradley D said:
It does not leave Christians out. It is a good read and doctrine.
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It can be learned from but it is NOT good for doctrine... unless you are a Jew under the law.

James was one of the circumcision that were law keepers and taught the Jews only.

If you do not understand the context, you will continue to be confused by the contents.
And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. (Acts 21:18-21 [KJVPCE])
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James was under the law and proud of it.
The scattered Jews that James was writing to did NOT go to gentiles.
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. (Acts 11:19 [KJVPCE])
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Do you think that they were preaching the SAME word that Paul was preaching to the gentiles? (hint: no)
 
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