Faith Only
A Sermon on Romans 4:9-16
Originally preached May 24, 1957
Scripture
9Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11And he received …
Sermon Description
Was Abraham, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, justified by works? Paul says no; he was justified by faith alone. Just as a teacher lectures and then makes time for possible questions, Paul presents his case on the true gospel and a message on salvation and then answers potential questions that might arise. The Jews may have suggested that since Abraham was not justified by works, it was because he was circumcised. Paul again says no. Abraham was the father to all, both circumcised and uncircumcised, because Scripture shows that he was justified before he was circumcised. In the sermon “Faith Alone” on Romans 4:9–16, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that Paul warns against those who merely held to their own circumcision as a means of salvation. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains how the Jews had not properly understood why the Lord gave them the sign of circumcision and how Paul refutes their wrong beliefs. When Abraham was credited as righteous, it is the first time in Scripture that salvation by faith alone was defined. The Lord promised that because of Abraham’s faithfulness, his seed would produce the Son of God.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is dealing with possible objections and difficulties to the doctrine of justification by faith, specifically from Jews.
- The first objection addressed is whether Abraham was justified by works. Paul shows from Scripture that Abraham was justified by faith, not works.
- The second objection is whether circumcision is required for justification. Paul shows that Abraham was justified by faith 14 years before he was circumcised. Therefore, circumcision is not required for justification.
- Circumcision was given to Abraham as an outward sign to seal the righteousness he already had by faith. It did not produce justification, but confirmed it.
- There were two purposes for circumcision: 1) To confirm to Abraham the righteousness he already had by faith; 2) To show that Abraham is the father of all who believe, whether circumcised or not.
- Abraham is the father of all believers, whether circumcised or not. He is the pattern and example of justification by faith.
- Merely being circumcised does not make one a child of Abraham. One must have the faith of Abraham. Circumcision alone avails nothing.
- The promise to Abraham was not through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. The law came 430 years after the promise.
- The promise to Abraham was that he would inherit the world. This refers to the universal reign of Christ in the age to come, which believers will share in.
- The seed of Abraham refers to Christ and all who are in Christ. Believers are heirs of the promise because they are in Christ, the seed.
- The promise to Abraham applies not just to Jews, but to all believers, Jew and Gentile alike. All who are of faith are Abraham's children.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding Romans 4:9-12: Questions and Answers with Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
What is the main argument Paul is making in Romans 4:9-12?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Paul is addressing the objection that while works might not contribute to justification, surely circumcision does. Paul demonstrates that Abraham was justified by faith 14 years before he was circumcised, proving that circumcision plays no role in justification. Lloyd-Jones explains: "Abraham received this righteousness and was justified by faith 14 years before he was ever circumcised... It can't be that circumcision is essential to justification by faith, because Abraham was justified by faith 14 years before he was circumcised."
What was the purpose of circumcision according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones identifies two purposes for circumcision: First, "Circumcision was given as an outward sign to Abraham to seal to him the righteousness which he had already received by faith." It was a seal to authenticate what had already happened, not something that produced justification. Second, it established Abraham as "the father of all them that believe," both uncircumcised Gentiles and circumcised Jews who have faith.
What does it mean that Abraham is "the father of all who believe"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Abraham is "the pattern, the leading example, if you like, the archetype, the first in a great succession." While others before Abraham had been justified by faith (like Abel and Noah), it was through Abraham that "God defines the thing" and establishes the principle of justification by faith. Abraham stands as the father figure for all believers, whether circumcised or uncircumcised.
How did the Jews misunderstand circumcision according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones calls this "the greatest tragedy of the whole of human history." He explains: "They completely misunderstood it and entirely reversed what God had intended it to do. Circumcision was given as a sign and a seal of the righteousness which is by faith. They turned it into a means of being justified." Instead of seeing circumcision as confirmation of justification by faith, they viewed it as the very means of justification.
What is the modern application of Paul's teaching on circumcision?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes a clear application: "Natural birth and descent are not saving. We are not Christians because we are British. Baptism does not save anybody... These signs were never meant to save. These sacraments are not saving." He specifically condemns the idea of baptismal regeneration as "thoroughly unscriptural and something to be abominated." Only faith, like Abraham had while uncircumcised, avails for salvation.
What does it mean that Abraham would be "heir of the world"?
Lloyd-Jones explains that this promise goes far beyond just inheriting the land of Canaan. It refers to "the universal reign of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the age that is to come." He connects this to Christ's beatitude that "the meek shall inherit the earth" and Paul's teaching that believers will "judge the world." This inheritance belongs to Christ as Abraham's seed and to all who are in Christ.
Who is the "seed" mentioned in the promise to Abraham?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones states definitively: "Christ is Abraham's seed. When the promise was made to Abraham and his seed, what he was really talking about, says the apostle here, was Abraham himself and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the seed to whom the promise is really made." We become Abraham's seed only by being united with Christ: "If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise."
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.