Abraham's Righteousness Through Faith and Obedience

Abraham's righteousness is a pivotal biblical theme, explored in both the Old and New Testaments. The apostle Paul cites Genesis 15:6, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness," to illustrate justification by faith ^[1]. This passage is central to understanding Abraham's righteousness, as it highlights the role of faith in his justification.

The New Testament emphasizes that Abraham's righteousness was not earned through works, but through faith. Paul argues in Romans 4:13 that the promise to Abraham was based on "the righteousness of faith," not on the law ^[2]. This distinction is crucial, as it underscores that Abraham's justification was not a result of his obedience to the law, but rather his trust in God's promise.

The early church fathers and later Christian theologians have interpreted Abraham's righteousness in various ways. According to one patristic interpretation, Abraham's faith was demonstrated through his obedience to God's commands, such as leaving his country and kindred ^[8]. This view is echoed in the writings of Augustine, who sees Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac as a test of his faith and obedience ^[12].

Reformed theologians like Calvin and Charles Hodge have also weighed in on Abraham's righteousness. Calvin argues that Abraham's faith was not limited to a single moment, but was a continuous trust in God's promises throughout his life ^[9]. Hodge, on the other hand, emphasizes that Abraham's justification was based on his faith in the promise of redemption through Christ, rather than his works or personal righteousness ^[11].

The relationship between faith and works in Abraham's righteousness is a point of discussion among Christian traditions. Some, like the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary, argue that faith and works are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary aspects of Abraham's justification ^[6]. Others, like John Gill, see Abraham's works as a demonstration of the genuineness of his faith ^[10].

In conclusion, Abraham's righteousness is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian history. While there are differences in emphasis and understanding, there is a broad consensus that Abraham's faith was a crucial aspect of his justification ^{[1, 2, 6, 7]}. The biblical account of Abraham's life and the interpretations of early church fathers and later theologians continue to shape Christian understanding of righteousness and faith.

SOURCES: ^[1] Galatians — TIER 1 (factual/linguistic) Galatians 3:6 (YLT) — according as Abraham did believe God, and it was reckoned to him--to righteousness;

^[2] Romans — TIER 1 (factual/linguistic) For the promise to Abraham and to his seed that he should be heir of the world wasn’t through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. -- Romans 4:13

^[3] Torrey's Topical Textbook — TIER 1 (factual/linguistic) Torrey's Topical Textbook: Righteousness Imputed — Predicted -- Isa 56:1; Eze 16:14. Revealed in the gospel -- Ro 1:17. Is of the Lord -- Isa 54:17. Described as The righteousness of faith. -- Ro 4:13; 9:30; 10:6. The righteousness of God, without the law. -- Ro 3:21. The righteousness of God by faith in Christ. -- Ro 3:22. Christ being made righteousness to us. -- 1Co 1:30. Our being made the righteousness of God, in Christ. -- 2Co 5:21. Christ is the end of the law for -- Ro 10:4. Christ called THE LORD OF OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS -- Jer 23:6. Christ brings in an everlasting righteousness -- Da 9:2

^[4] Project Gutenberg — TIER 1 (factual/linguistic) Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 13, section 1: . Concerning Isaac The Legitimate Son Of Abraham. 1. Now Abraham greatly loved Isaac, as being his only begotten 27 and given to him at the borders of old age, by the favor of God. The child also endeared himself to his parents still more, by the exercise of every virtue, and adhering to his duty to his parents, and being zealous in the worship of God. Abraham also placed his own happiness in this prospect, that, when he should die, he should leave this his son in a safe and secure condition; which accordingly he obtained by the

^[5] Torrey's Topical Textbook — TIER 1 (factual/linguistic) Torrey's Topical Textbook: Justification Before God — Promised in Christ -- Isa 45:25; 53:11. Is the act of God -- Isa 50:8; Ro 8:33. Under law Requires perfect obedience. -- Le 18:5; Ro 10:5; 2:13; Jas 2:10. Man cannot attain to. -- Job 9:2,3,20; 25:4; Ps 130:3; 143:2; Ro 3:20; 9:31,32. Under the gospel Is not of works. -- Ac 13:39; Ro 8:3; Ga 2:16; 3:11. Is not of faith and works united. -- Ac 15:1-29; Ro 3:28; 11:6; Ga 2:14-21; 5:4. Is by faith alone. -- Joh 5:24; Ac 13:39; Ro 3:30; 5:1;

Sources

Galatians “Galatians 3:6 (YLT) — according as Abraham did believe God, and it was reckoned to him--to righteousness;”
Romans “For the promise to Abraham and to his seed that he should be heir of the world wasn’t through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. -- Romans 4:13”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Righteousness Imputed — Predicted -- Isa 56:1; Eze 16:14. Revealed in the gospel -- Ro 1:17. Is of the Lord -- Isa 54:17. Described as The righteousness of faith. -- Ro 4:13; 9:30; 10:6. The righteousness of God, without the law. -- Ro 3:21. The righteousness of God by faith in Christ. -- Ro 3:22. Christ being made righteousness to us. -- 1Co 1:30. Our being made the righteousness of God, in Christ. -- 2Co 5:21. Christ is the end of the law for -- Ro 10:4. Christ called THE LORD OF OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS -- Jer 23:6. Christ brings in an everlasting righteousness -- Da 9:2”
Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 13, section 1: . Concerning Isaac The Legitimate Son Of Abraham. 1. Now Abraham greatly loved Isaac, as being his only begotten 27 and given to him at the borders of old age, by the favor of God. The child also endeared himself to his parents still more, by the exercise of every virtue, and adhering to his duty to his parents, and being zealous in the worship of God. Abraham also placed his own happiness in this prospect, that, when he should die, he should leave this his son in a safe and secure condition; which accordingly he obtained by the”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Justification Before God — Promised in Christ -- Isa 45:25; 53:11. Is the act of God -- Isa 50:8; Ro 8:33. Under law Requires perfect obedience. -- Le 18:5; Ro 10:5; 2:13; Jas 2:10. Man cannot attain to. -- Job 9:2,3,20; 25:4; Ps 130:3; 143:2; Ro 3:20; 9:31,32. Under the gospel Is not of works. -- Ac 13:39; Ro 8:3; Ga 2:16; 3:11. Is not of faith and works united. -- Ac 15:1-29; Ro 3:28; 11:6; Ga 2:14-21; 5:4. Is by faith alone. -- Joh 5:24; Ac 13:39; Ro 3:30; 5:1; Ga 2:16. Is of grace. -- Ro 3:24; 4:16; 5:17-21. In the name of Christ. -- 1Co 6:11. By imputation of Ch”
Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 4:3: For what saith the, Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it--his faith. was counted to him for righteousness-- (Gen 15:6). Romish expositors and Arminian Protestants make this to mean that God accepted Abraham's act of believing as a substitute for complete obedience. But this is at variance with the whole spirit and letter of the apostle's teaching. Throughout this whole argument, faith is set in direct opposition to works, in the matter of justification--and even in Rom 4:4-5. The meaning, therefore, cannot possibly be that the mere act of believing”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 25: that he was childless, and that one born in his house was 168 to be his heir. And God said unto him, “This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels, shall be thine heir. 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. And he believed in the Lord : and He counted it to him for righteousness.” Taking this passage by itself, it is inferred that the object of Abraham’s faith was the promise of”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — CHAP. X.--CONTINUATION OF THE ABOVE.: Abraham, styled "the friend,"(2) was found faithful, inasmuch as he rendered obedience to the words of God. He, in the exercise of obedience, went out from his own country, and from his kindred, and from his father's house, in order that, by forsaking a small territory, and a weak family, and an insignificant house, he might inherit the promises of God. For God said to him, "Get thee out from thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, into the land which I shall show thee”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 19.14: to a life almost angelical. It therefore follows, that even to the end of life, we are led towards the eternal kingdom of God by the righteousness of faith. On which point many are too grossly deceived. For they grant, indeed, that the righteousness which is freely bestowed upon sinners and offered to the unworthy is received by faith alone; but they restrict this to a moment of time, so that he who at the first obtained justification by faith, may afterwards be justified by good works. By this method, faith is nothing else than ”
James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 2:23: And the Scripture was fulfilled,.... Gen 15:6 which speaks of Abraham's faith, and the imputation of to him for righteousness; for the above action of Abraham, in offering up his son, was a clear proof of the truth of his faith, there commended: by this it was made known what a strong faith he had in God, and what reason there was to believe that he was a justified person. Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness; See Gill on Rom 4:3 which shows both that Abraham was justified before he wrought this work, and therefore that could not be the c”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 23: and yet the justifier of them that believe. The Apostle teaches that such has been the method of justification from the beginning. It was witnessed by the law and the prophets. There had never, since the fall, been any other way of justification possible for men. As God justified Abraham because he believed in the promise of redemption through the Messiah; so He justifies those now who believe in the fulfilment 153 of that promise. ( Rom. iv. 3, 9, 24 .) It was not Abraham’s believing state of mind that was taken for righteousness. It is ”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 32.--OF ABRAHAM'S OBEDIENCE AND FAITH, WHICH WERE PROVED BY THE OFFERING UP, OF HIS SON IN SACRIFICE, AND OF SARAH'S DEATH. (part 1): Among other things, of which it would take too long time to mention the whole, Abraham was tempted about the offering up of his well-beloved son Isaac, to prove his pious obedience, and so make it known to the world, not to God. Now every temptation is not blame-worthy; it may even be praise-worthy, because it furnishes probation. And, for the most part, the human mind cannot attain to self-knowled”

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