justify by faith

Defining By Faith

Romans 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

God, which shall justify... by faith

Under the chapter titled "by faith", a definition of 'by faith' given is: "A believing diligence (faithfulness) towards a faithful God of reward." This definition is based on Hebrews 11:6 coupled with the repeatedly usage of the expression ‘by faith’, accompanied with a verb, designating action on behalf of those mentioned.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

4 By faith Abel offered

5 By faith Enoch pleased

7 By faith Noah prepared

8 By faith Abraham obeyed

9 By faith he sojourned

17 By faith Abraham offered

20 By faith Isaac blessed

21 By faith Jacob blessed

22 By faith Joseph made mention

23 By faith Moses was hid

24 By faith Moses refused

27 By faith he forsook

29 By faith they passed

30 By faith the walls were compassed

This chapter deals with justification prior to the circumcision and Mosaic Law.

The Fine Line Between Being Just and Being Righteousness

How exactly were OT saints justified or seen as being righteous? Under the Old Testament, there is a fine line between justification and righteousness. Basically, when you’re dealing with one you’re dealing with the other. Righteousness is simply the state of being right or doing right. Being justified or just, is a declaration of being righteous. A just man, under the Old Testament, was one who has been declared or deemed to be righteous in the sight of God.

In answering the question and in sticking with the definition of ‘by faith’, the answer is… Old Testament saints were justified by living in obedience to God while believing in the faith of God; trusting in the faithfulness of God and faithfully obeying was the criteria.

Before bringing the circumcision (shall justify the circumcision by faith… Rom. 3:30) into this picture, a look here is taken at justification and righteousness prior to the institution of circumcision (Genesis 17), which is later carried on under the Mosaic Law.

This topic is a critical foundational aspect of this Theme Study. The reason being is if it’s not gotten right and understood here, the result is confusion from here out! There is usually a general response of all or none concerning the role that works and/or obedience plays in justification. What is meant in saying this is, that there are two sides of this fence, though only one side is usually seen at a given time. In considering the word ‘faith’, in Romans 3:30, there’s more emphasis put on the word ‘faith’ than on the distinguishing adjectives (by/through), with result being works are minimized, whereas there is an over whelming evidence of its significance.

On the other hand, or other side of the fence, the over whelming evidence of works/obedience is such in the scripture that it becomes a fulcrum in the minds of many for justification and righteousness. This study is dedicated to showing that the adjectives ‘by & through’, are the fence and there is essential discernment to be made between ‘by faith’ and ‘through faith’. This factor is demonstrated in God’s dealing with the circumcision ‘by faith’ and the uncircumcision ‘through faith’ (Rom. 3:30).

The reasons for all the confusion and debate over the role of works and faith are twofold:

Rejection of the KJB and/or failure to leave words alone as they stand in a KJB.
Failure to recognize the argument and distinctions that Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, makes in the book of Romans regarding the doctrine of justification.

Being Just or Righteous?

Man’s First Act of Unrighteousness

Man was created in a ‘by faith’ relationship to his Creator. Instruction was clear and simple… And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Genesis 2:16-17

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it

Adam had to simply enforce that which was right, but their action of disobedience was man’s first deed of unrighteousness. Death, sin, curses and expulsion from the utopia in which they inhabited was all result from an action of disobedience. God set a precedence in which indicated the means in which God would thereafter deal with transgression in offering up of a sacrifice for man’s sin.

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

as by one man sin entered into the world

Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

... did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them

Good and Evil

Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil

Man now had knowledge of good and evil and this point can’t be over stressed! At this early juncture in man’s history, man understood what was right and what was wrong. Actions fell within one of two categories, good or evil. The word ‘evil’ is found 57 times alone in the Pentateuch and 450 times within the entire OT. The word ‘good’ is found 91 times in the Pentateuch and 437 times in the entire OT.

Good & Evil B

Righteousness Prior to the Mosaic Covenant

God created man in a ‘by faith’ relationship and continued to deal with man on that basis. After the expulsion of Adam from the garden, this ‘by faith’ rapport is clearly demonstrated in the lives of Cain and Abel.

Cain & Abel

Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain
by which he obtained witness that he was righteous
God testifying of his gifts

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

But without faith it is impossible to please him
for he that cometh to God must believe that he is
and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him

There are three essential components that make up justification ‘by faith’, as demonstrated in these two passages regarding OT righteousness:

1. Believing God - The first, of three components found in ‘by faith’, is that of believing in the existence of God. Obviously, the issue at hand here isn’t simply a belief in the existence of God for even Cain conversed with God (Gen 4:9-16), as did his father Adam. Clearly, believing in God is the starting point, but in of itself not the criteria for the imputation of righteousness!

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well
the devils also believe, and tremble

Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

when they knew God
they glorified him not as God

This early in history, after the creation and fall of man, both Abel and Cain were well aware of both the existence and presence of God and Satan.

2. Obeying God - The second component of ‘by faith’, is faithful obedience. The first issue God addressed was in how God was going to deal with man’s sin. That the... 'without the shedding of blood is no remission of sins', was a principle of God laid down from the very fall of man as seen in the preparation of coats for Adam and Eve, by God Himself. Aprons of fig leaves were replaced by coats of skins provided from the offering of the first sacrifice.

Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

... did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them

Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

and without shedding of blood is no remission

In dealing with his own sin, Abel carried through with what he believed was already established by God in that of offering a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, a blood offering (Gen 4:3-5). When Abel responded ‘by faith’, it meant he believed God concerning this blood principal.

Genesis 4:3-7 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof

1 John 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one
And wherefore slew he him?
Because his own works were evil
and his brother's righteous

Religion is paved with sincerity and ‘good’ works, but such sincerity and ‘good’ works must line up with the word of God. ‘Works’, associated with justification and righteousness under the OT, is greatly misunderstood because it is taken out of the context of the true definition of justification ‘by faith’. Works of righteousness is associated with faithful obedience and this subject is dealt with in more detail under chapters titled, ‘law of works’, ‘election of works’, ‘circumcision justified by faith’ and ‘uncircumcision justified through faith’.

3. Trusting God - The third component of ‘by faith’, is seen in the ‘faith of God’, or God’s trustworthiness to hold up His side of the deal and counted Abel righteous; God testifying of his gifts.

... and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him

No doubt, the same witness occurred here, as at other times recorded, which left no doubt in the mind of whose offering was accepted and whose wasn’t.

Leviticus 9:24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

And there came a fire out from before the LORD
and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat

Testifying of his gifts

Cain's own works were evil

righteousness before law

1st act of unrighteousness C

Enoch

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

By faith Enoch was translated…
he had this testimony, that he pleased God

Genesis 5:22-24 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: 24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Enoch walked with God
Enoch walked with God

Jude 14-15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them
of all their ungodly deeds
which they have ungodly committed,
and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him

The point that is going to be called attention to within these passages, containing mention of Enoch, is the extreme comparisons. The context in which Enoch is mentioned in Jude is unique within itself. It is warning, in the last days, to those who have the Spirit, against those who don’t, in demonstration of their godlessness. Reflection is given back to the days in which the Spirit had a different function. Under the OT, the Spirit did come into play, but didn't indwell the OT saint, as the Spirit does the true believer today. Just as there was a progression from good to evil, from the time of Adam to the flood, so it is in the end of days before the second coming of Christ. The HUGE difference being, is that in Jude, there is mention of a common salvation and faith in Christ (Jude vv 1-4). There was no common salvation and faith 'in Christ' from Adam to the flood! The difference then was the difference between good and evil and between the righteous and the ungodly. Same illustration can be given concerning the Angels that left their first estate, Sodom and Gomorrha, and Israel leaving Egypt. In each case there was a pronouncement of judgement on the ungodly.

Jude 4-19 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. 17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

afterward destroyed them that believed not
hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day
are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire
and perished in the gainsaying of Core
To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed

On one hand we have those of common faith preserved in Christ. On the other hand, we have those preserved ‘by faith’… he had this testimony, that he pleased God!

Noah

Genesis 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good

Genesis 6:5-7 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth

The world came to a standstill from corruption that penetrated every aspect of God’s creation, that once was declared to be good; it was now time to start over.

Genesis 6:8-9 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD
Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations
and Noah walked with God

Genesis 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Come thou and all thy house into the ark
for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation

One man stood out of the crowd and found grace in the eyes of the LORD; the question is why? The answer is simple when kept in the context of the definition of living ‘by faith’, but if taken out of that context, it becomes complicated. The explanation for Noah finding grace is that he was a just man and perfect in his generation and walked with God. Noah was seen righteous before God in his generation.

A Stark Contrast

To drive home the point, of the significance of Noah finding grace in the sight of God, we’ll contrast this with what Paul declared about Gentiles to whom he was administering the dispensation of the grace of God:

Noah B

Ephesians 3:1-2 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God
which is given me to you-ward

Ephesians 2:1-5 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins
and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,
(by grace ye are saved;)

Noah Found Grace

Genesis 6:8-9 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD
Noah was a just man
and perfect in his generations
and Noah walked with God

Gentiles Saved By Grace

Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Even when we were dead in sins
by grace ye are saved

It is obvious that apples are not being compared to apples and that the attraction, Noah had before God, was certainly not the same attraction that got God’s attention of these Gentiles. In this dispensation of grace, the Gentile has not found grace because they were just and perfect and walked with God! Just the opposite is true, of these Gentiles, in comparison to Noah! As with the word ‘faith’, ‘grace’ has a different connotation depending on the context.

There is another way to drive home the point of the necessity, in rightly dividing the scriptures, in order for the scriptures to make bible-sense. After the public ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, we see the world divided into one of two classifications; the condemned and the not condemned. Each based on rejection or acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 3:17-18 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

He that believeth on him is not condemned:
but he that believeth not is condemned already
because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God

Though we see evidence of the Godhead (Gen 1:1, 26; 3:22; Rom 1:20; Col 2:9), some prophecy (Gen 3:15) and many beautiful typologies of Christ (sacrifices, ark, etc.), the world from Adam to Noah didn’t fall into same classification as described in John. The world back then fell within the categories of either good and evil or the righteous and the wicked. Righteousness was based on one’s standing relationship to their Creator.

It is absurd to even suggest that man is justified or righteous today based on standards found between the days of Adam and Noah or vice versa.

Noah, a just man, stood out of the crowd because he was living ‘by faith’ in believing, fearing and obeying God, which is the exact definition of righteousness which is ‘by faith’. There were those who lived prior to Noah, such as Abel and Enoch, who were righteous before God, but with mankind on the brink of extinction, it would be Noah becoming heir of the righteousness which is ‘by faith’, after the flood.

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet
moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world
and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith

Noah, becoming the heir of the righteousness which is ‘by faith’, carried this baton into the new world.

Abraham

Things really get interesting with Abraham! Tracking certain events and periods of his life are fundamental in understanding Paul’s argument, in Romans, regarding the distinction between ‘by faith’ and ‘through faith’, as related to God justifying the ‘circumcision’ and the ‘uncircumcision’ (Rom 3:30).

Abraham plays a pivotal role in Paul’s argument, concerning salvation which is ‘of faith’, in mentioning him seven times in Romans 4 and nine times, in the book of Galatians, covering exact theme.

In Romans 4, Paul describes Abraham as being the father of both the Jew and the Gentile. To the Jew, is the father of those ‘by faith’. To the Gentile, addressed during the Acts period, he is the father of those which are ‘of faith’. The focus on Abraham, in this chapter, are descriptions of him living ‘by faith’, before an event foundational to making him also the father of those justified ‘through faith’ which is ‘of faith’.

There are four significant events in the life of Abraham, that come into play in this discussion, that must be distinguished and put into sequence. Dates given are taken from The Chronological Bible and simply serve as reference points showing separation of time. Other sources may give different dates of chronology.

Genesis 12 (1896) – Abrahamic Covenant; promise of a great nation and land
Genesis 15 (1870) – Abrahamic Covenant confirmed; imputation of righteousness in believing
Genesis 17 (1868) – Abrahamic Covenant confirmed; circumcision instituted
Genesis 22 (1831) – Abrahamic Covenant confirmed; faith tested

In effort to understand the importance of an event in Abraham’s life listed above, it is essential to understand Abraham’s spiritual condition leading up and surrounding Genesis 15.

Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

By faith Abraham... obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went

Genesis 12:1-2 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: Genesis 12:7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: …

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country...
unto a land that I will shew thee:
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing
Unto thy seed will I give this land: …

Genesis 26:4-5 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; 5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

Because that Abraham obeyed my voice
and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws

Nehemiah 9:7-8 Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham; And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous:

Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram
And foundest his heart faithful before thee
and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous

It is unquestionable that Abraham was already living ‘by faith’, as early as Genesis 12, to which Hebrews 11:8 references. There are around twenty years’ difference between Genesis 12 and Genesis 15, where it is stated that righteousness was imputed to Abraham. The point to be kept back in mind is that Abram was a bona-fide, OT saint living ‘by faith’, between Genesis 12 and 15, before having righteousness being imputed to him for simply believing something God said in Genesis 15.

Here are the activities of Abraham prior to Genesis 15:

Gen 12:1-7

v4 So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken unto him

v7 and there he builded he an altar unto the Lord

Gen 13:1-4

v4...and there Abram called on the name of the Lord

Gen 13:15-18

v18 Then Abram removed his tent…and built there an altar unto the Lord

Gen 14:17-22

v20 And he gave him tithes of all.

v22 I have lift up my hand unto the Lord, the Most High GOD…

Nehemiah profoundly testifies to the definition of ‘by faith’, in describing the relationship between Abraham and the LORD.

Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram
And foundest his heart faithful before thee
and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous

Abraham A

Abraham

foundest his heart faithful before thee

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,...

The LORD

hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous

... and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Psalm 145:17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

Prior to Genesis 15, Abraham’s righteousness was based on his faithful obedience to the LORD and the LORD, true to scripture, proved Himself to be righteous. Scripture proves that Abraham continued to live ‘by faith’, after Genesis 15, where righteousness was imputed for simply believing God. Other chapters, within the Theme Study, show that righteousness under the Old Testament was a daily living experience. The simple act of believing, on that day in Genesis 15, proved an exception to the norm in leading the example for one day in which God would justify Gentiles ‘through faith’.

Chapter titled, "circumcision justified by faith", picks up with Abraham in Genesis 17, where circumcision was instituted and eventually carried over under the Mosaic Covenant.

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