NOTES for Rom 4:13-25
The apostle Paul reveals the meaning of Christ's gospel words through the example of Abraham. The promise of salvation was given to Abraham not for his good works, but according to God's mercy, and he received it not according to the law, as though he had taken what was owed to him, but through an astonishing faith in the goodness and almighty power of God. Such faith, such trust, brings a person into a special relationship with God. Then the person's inner system of values changes; evil becomes inwardly repulsive to him, and this is the "righteousness of faith." How much easier it is for us than for Abraham to accept such faith, because God's goodness and almighty power were shown to us by the Father, who gave the Son over to death and raised Him for our justification.