Study Guide Genesis 15:6, Romans 4, Galatians 3, James 2

Study Guide

Genesis 15:6, Romans 4, Galatians 3, James 2

Abraham’s faith was beginning to be tested, and, in the beginning of

chapter 15, Abraham expresses his struggle. Many years have passed since

God made his first promise and Abraham is beginning to wonder about God’s

timing. In verse 2, Abraham asks what God is going to do, for he is still

childless and there is no one yet to inherit the land that God has promised.

It seems that Abraham had concluded that, since Sarah was still barren,

someone else would be his heir.

God responds to Abraham’s struggle by reassuring him. God says that

Abraham's heir will be his very own son. Further, he says that he will have

numerous descendants. Verse 5 says "And he brought him outside and said,

'Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number

them.' Then he said to him, 'So shall your offspring be'" (v. 5).

God restores Abraham’s faith. Abraham had faith in God’s promise and

put his trust in him. In verse 6, Scripture says that God found Abraham to

be righteous because of his faith and hope in God. This is summarizes the

most important doctrine in all of Scripture. It is the doctrine of justification

by grace through faith. God declares Abraham as righteous because of his

faith. What Genesis 15:6 says is a theme which is found throughout the

Bible. This verse is cited three different times in the New Testament.

One instance of this is found in Romans chapter 4. In Romans 3, Paul

says that no one is righteous on their own. One cannot become righteous

through good works or the law. In chapter 4, he refers to Abraham and how

God found him to be righteous because he believed in the promises of God.

Paul uses Abraham to demonstrate that we too are found righteous not

because of our obedience to the law or by doing good works. In 4:23-25,

Paul says that righteousness is counted to those who believe in Jesus Christ.

Another instance is found in Galatians chapter 3. The Galatians had

been deceived into thinking that their righteousness came from obedience of

the law, so Paul writes to them to show them that righteousness comes from

faith alone. In Galatians 3:6, Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 to show that

Abraham’s righteousness came from his faith. In verses 8-9, Paul reminds

his readers that through Abraham God would bless all the nations, and that

those who have faith, like Abraham, will be blessed. In verses 14, Paul

makes this clear by saying that through Jesus the blessing of Abraham came

to the gentiles, so through faith we can receive the promise of God.

A third place Genesis 15:6 is quoted is in James 2:21-24. In 2:18-20,

James shows us that faith without works is useless. At first, it seems that

this is in direct conflict with Paul. He makes this clear in verses 21-24. He

shows us that Abraham’s faith was demonstrated by his works. Faith

becomes useful when it joins with works. Faith is completed by works. In

verse 23, James quotes Genesis 15:6.

James is calling us to live like Abraham. We should put our faith in God

and then live out our faith with works. Like Abraham, we need to be willing

to make sacrifices for the sake of our faith (Hebrews 11:17). Live out our

faith through our works.