How does Romans 4 begin to explain justification by faith?
Romans 4 begins to explain justification by faith by turning to Abraham as the example: Abraham believed God, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness. Paul then moves to chapter 5, declaring that being justified by faith, we have peace with God.
Les explains that after proving the entire human race utterly sinful in the first three chapters of Romans, culminating in Romans 3:23—'for all have sinned and come short in glory'—Paul goes on into chapter 4 and begins to lay out justification by faith. The foundational example is Abraham, who believed God, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness. Then chapter 5 declares, 'Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God.' Les further notes that chapter 6 enlarges on justification as accomplished when Christ died, was buried, and rose again, while chapter 7 explains the believer's dilemma.