If You Are Justified by Works, Then You Have Something to Boast About
Thinking about Romans 4:1-2.
What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. (Romans 4:1-2)
Paul now turns his attention to one of the Jew’s heroes: Abraham.
He will use Abraham (and King David) to support his case that people are “justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.”
Paul is essentially saying: “Now, does the case of Abraham help us in determining what I’ve just said is true or false?” If his case in 3:21-31 is well-founded then it could be tested by Abraham’s case. If Abraham was justified on the basis of human effort then Paul’s case is fallen. - McGuiggan, Romans, 138
An important distinction.
Caution must be exercised that we do not confuse works of merit and works of obedience. Otherwise the student will be hopelessly confused in his study of this chapter, yea the whole of the New Testament, with regard to grace, works and law. - Wacaster, Studies in Romans, 152
The “works” that Paul refers to in this section are not a reference to humble obedience - because Abraham obeyed God. “Works” refers to sinlessness.
It must be perfectly clear that Abraham obeyed God. But it is also perfectly clear that he had nothing to boast about. It is also perfectly clear that obedience (with the right heart) is “unto righteousness” (6:16) but in Paul’s argument “works” are not “unto righteousness.” Obedience is possible for a person but (in practice) “works” isn’t, for in sections like this “works” stands for sinlessness! - McGuiggan, Romans, 139
If Abraham was justified by his works - or by being sinless - then he has something to boast about! But Abraham sinned - so he wasn’t justified by “works” - by sinlessness.
Abraham was unable to boast on the grounds of his works because he was a sinner. He couldn’t boast on the grounds of his faith for that conceded he was a sinner in need of charity. - McGuiggan, Romans, 140
If Abraham could not stand before God as justified based on his own “works” or “sinlessness,” then why would anyone else think they could stand on their own record?
Paul will convince the Jews that they couldn’t stand on their own record - because they were sinners! Not even Abraham stood justified based on his record.
Paul is slowly but surely leading his audience to conclude that justification only comes through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice (Romans 5:6-9).