23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.(Romans 4:22-25 KJV)
The Promise Granted Through Faith
In the close of the chapter, Paul applies all to us. Having proved that Abraham was justified by faith, he concludes that his justification was the pattern of ours: It was not written for his sake alone (Rom 4:23). It was not intended merely as a historical commendation of Abraham or something peculiar to him. The Old Testament accounts were not written only for history, but for examples (1Co 10:11; Rom 15:4). This concerning Abraham was written for us also, to show what righteousness God requires and accepts to salvation—for us who fall short of Abraham in privileges and performances, for Gentiles as well as Jews, for those on whom the ends of the world are come, since the grace of God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
It shall be imputed to us also—that is, righteousness shall (Rom 4:24). The gospel way of justification is by an imputed righteousness. The apostle uses the future tense to show the continuation of this mercy, that as it was with Abraham, so it will be while God has a church on earth, for the fountain of grace is inexhaustible.
The condition of this privilege is believing. Abraham believed the power of God in raising up Isaac from the dead womb of Sarah; we are to believe the same power in raising up Christ from the dead. The resurrection of Isaac was a figure (Heb 11:19); the resurrection of Christ was real. We believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord, who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification (Rom 4:24-25).
He was delivered for our offences: God the Father delivered him, and he delivered up himself as a sacrifice for sin. He died as a malefactor, not for his own sin but for ours, to make atonement, expiate guilt, and satisfy divine justice.
He was raised again for our justification, to complete it. By his death he paid the debt; by his resurrection he took out the acquittance. When buried, he lay as a prisoner under execution for our debt, but on the third day God released him, showing that justice was satisfied. If not, he would never have been released. Therefore Paul emphasizes the resurrection: It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again (Rom 8:34).
Thus it is evident that we are not justified by the merit of our own works, but by a faithful dependence upon Jesus Christ and his righteousness, which Paul throughout this and the foregoing chapter establishes as the great foundation of all our comfort.