So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Summary: The whole point of believing in Jesus is so we can be clothed in his righteousness when our time comes to be judged. In this passage, Paul begins talking about what that means.
One of the many things I admire about Paul is the depth of his knowledge of Scripture. Having been trained as a Pharisee, Paul knew all the Scriptures treasured by the Jews. Everything in the Old Testament was known to Paul, along with the traditions, stories, and oral knowledge of the time. Paul was a walking encyclopedia of God’s communication with Man.
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul begins by recounting his history with God. He writes about his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Then, he outlines his life after meeting Jesus.
- He spends three years in Arabia.
- He meets with Peter and James in Jerusalem.
- He spends time in Syria and Cilicia (where his hometown of Tarsus is).
- Paul and Barnabas meet with the leaders of the church, who again confirm his gospel.
- Paul spends time at Antioch and has an encounter with Peter (Cephas). Here, Paul argues against adding circumcision to the gospel message.
Now Paul is again fighting against anyone who would corrupt the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul understands that patching a new garment with old cloth will not work (Mark 2:21). Where the beginning of Paul’s letter relies on his encounter with Jesus, the rest of his arguments are grounded in Old Testament history and pure logic.
In today’s passage, Paul begins his pivot to the Old Testament. Before Jesus was born and before the Law was given, how did people hope to achieve righteousness?
Paul points out that Abraham “believed God,” and that that was enough.
He is not saying that Abraham had a passive belief in God. Paul knows better. Paul understands what it means to really believe. When he says that Abraham “believed God,” he is talking about the kind of belief that, (A) acknowledges the existence of God, (B) can hear God and receive instruction from him, and most important of all (C), obeys God.
When God said, “Jump!,” Abraham didn’t even ask, “How high?” He immediately jumped!
It wasn’t that Abraham did everything right. He didn’t. Abraham was fearful of the kings of Canaan and Egypt and worried that his wife’s beauty would cost him his life. His behavior in these situations was not exactly one we should copy.
What Abraham did “right” was to believe in God and then listen and obey. When Paul points us to Abraham as an example, it is an example of achieving righteousness through faith, which is exactly why he wants us to have faith in Jesus.
Application: When Jesus says, “Jump!,” jump!
Food for Thought: What does the word “righteousness” mean in the context of today’s passage?
It is a righteousness that comes by faith in the Lord and not a self righteousness. It is a righteousness ultimately achieved for us on the cross through faith in Christ. His righteousness and not ours. I think Paul defined it well in Romans 1: 16 – 17 and Philippians 3: 8 – 9.
Rich,
Paul’s comment is indeed powerful:
“I consider [all things] garbage, that I may gain Christ”
(Phillippians 3:8)
Sometimes God brings us to a point where we see clearly the difference between the things of this world and the things of God.
I like this question because it reminds me of God’s righteousness and the grace He gives even though we lack it.
I have read that righteousness before God involves four aspects: character, conscience, conduct, and command. Because sin has permeated all four of those for mankind, we can never be counted as righteous on own on merit. God sent Christ to cover that sin, so that we could be redeemed to Him and turn from sin. Our faith in Christ, His sacrifice and His resurrection, make it possible to turn from sin, and turn toward God.
In the meditation you brought up that with Abraham “When God said, “Jump!,” Abraham didn’t even ask, “How high?” He immediately jumped!” and also that “It wasn’t that Abraham did everything right. He didn’t. Abraham was fearful of the kings of Canaan and Egypt and worried that his wife’s beauty would cost him his life. His behavior in these situations was not exactly one we should copy.” Both of those speak to Abrahams actions. One might be tempted to “count up” the actions and place them into opposing categories, then see which one has the greater number to determine Abraham’s “righteousness.”
But God doesn’t keep score. God looks at our hearts.
Psalm 14
3 All have turned away, all have become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.
Abraham could not be counted as righteous in his own actions. One measure of unrighteous is one measure too many. But a heart that completely submits to the Lord’s will, understands it’s own unrighteousness, humbles itself and seeks God’s Will, in faith that God provides redemption and will bring it close to Him, is as a righteous heart to God, because it emulates His own heart. When I think of that I envision a joyful father delighting in the heart of his child.
Well said, Chris!
It wasn’t Abraham’s jumping that earned him righteousness. It was his faith.
03-14-2024, What does the word “righteousness” mean in the context of today’s passage?
We live in a world where the majority of people tend to believe right and wrong are according to their standards, and they refuse to accept God’s absolute standard of righteousness. To their human mind true or false are relative, and they can do whatever they think or feel is right.
The word righteousness in the Bible first appears in the account of God’s covenant with Abram when he believed in His promise of his future offspring Genesis 15:6, which was even before he was called Abraham, a father of many nations. The way of righteousness leads to life, not death Proverbs 12:28, because God is the ultimate source of life.
Righteousness belongs to God alone, and as we pursue God, we find His righteousness. Pursuing God’s righteousness means putting God at the center of our lives, and God takes pleasure in those who pursue righteousness. Proverbs 15:9, 21:3, 21:21.
What Abraham did “right” was to believe God, demonstrated by listening and obeying. When Paul points us to Abraham as an example, it is the example of achieving righteousness through faith, which is exactly why He requires we have faith in Jesus who becomes our righteousness before God. Isaiah 64:6.
Ron
Thank you! I love that you point out that “righteousness belongs to God alone.” That is so true. In a sense we are only able to claim to be righteous when God shares his righteousness with us.
I am totally onboard with that!
Ron