Yes, 'faith plus nothing' means Abraham was counted righteous by God solely on the basis of his belief, with no works or merit added.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Abraham didn't work, sacrifice, or keep the law; he simply believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Romans 4:3). This 'faith plus nothing' principle is the same for believers today in the age of grace.
Romans 4:3 — This verse directly states that Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness, forming the core of the answer.
The Bible says Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). This was not through works, because if he could boast in what he did, the righteousness would be earned and not a gift (Romans 4:2). The promise that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith (Romans 4:13).
Les Feldick explains that Abraham was saved by 'faith plus nothing' — he didn't offer sacrifices, practice circumcision, or follow the law. Abraham simply took God at His Word, even when the promise seemed impossible given his and Sarah's age. Les contrasts this with Israel under the law, who were saved by 'faith plus works,' but he emphasizes that in the age of grace, believers today connect to Abraham the same way: by faith alone. Adding any work to the gospel, he warns, cancels the work of the cross and endangers one's salvation.
Les Feldick points out that Abraham, though not perfect, showed remarkable faith when God promised him descendants as numerous as the stars, despite his and Sarah's old age. He believed God's promise without an ounce of doubt, and that belief was credited to him as righteousness.
Paul uses Abraham as the example of justification by faith. Les explains that in this age of grace, we are brought into relationship with God just as Abraham was — by faith and faith alone. We do not become physical sons of Abraham, but spiritually we connect to him through the same kind of believing.
Les emphasizes that Abraham didn't sacrifice, wasn't circumcised, didn't have the law, didn't repent or get baptized. He simply believed God. This shows that salvation has never been about human effort or religious rituals.
Abraham's Faith in God's Promise
Les illustrates Abraham's faith in believing God's impossible promise of numerous offspring despite his old age.
Faith Plus Nothing vs. Faith Plus Works
Les explains that Abraham was saved by faith plus nothing, whereas those under the law were saved by faith plus works; he highlights this contrast.
God’s Promise to Abraham: Understanding Genesis 12 & 15
Not some denomination, not some ecclesiastical group, but what saith the Scripture? And this is all we can go on, and the Scripture says, Abraham what? Believed God. And what did God turn around to do? Counted it to him for righteousness. Now, there's no works whatsoever in believing, is there? Oh, we got to use the mind, if you want to call that work, but there is nothing that we can do physicall…
Relationship by Faith Alone
Les connects our relationship to God today with Abraham's, through faith and faith alone, not by physical descent.
No Sacrifice, No Circumcision, No Law
Les stresses that Abraham was saved without any of the religious requirements of the law, showing that faith alone is necessary.
Abraham Did Nothing but Believe
Les emphasizes that Abraham didn't work or earn righteousness; he simply believed, and that was enough.
The Truth About Grace, Faith & Abraham — Romans 4:13-25
Now then let's go right into the text, these 28 minutes go all too fast. We're still dealing with Abraham as the epitome of a man of faith, who was justified by doing nothing, he merited nothing, he was raised and was living in abject idolatry, he had no knowledge of the One True God, and yet God saw in that man the potential to believe what he said, and so he reached down, spoke to him, and as I …
Believing Plus Nothing Imputed
Les explains that Abraham's believing, 'plus nothing,' was imputed to his account like a bookkeeping entry, making him righteous.
Romans 4:2: For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Shows that justification cannot be based on works, or else Abraham could boast.
Romans 4:3: For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Central verse: faith is credited as righteousness.
Romans 4:13: For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Emphasizes that the promise came through faith, not the law.
It means that a person is made right with God simply by believing Him, without adding any works, religious rituals, or personal merit. Abraham is the prime example: he believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.
No, Abraham didn't work, sacrifice, or keep the law; he simply believed God. His faith, not his works, was credited to him as righteousness.
Paul uses Abraham because he was saved by faith alone, just as believers in the age of grace are. Abraham's example shows that justification is by faith, not by works or the law.
Watch the Teaching: The Meaning of Adonai: Understanding God as Master