Romans Chapter 4 "The Faith Chapter"

2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

This chapter starts out with these incredible verses, that rebuke salvation by works. The Roman Christians were under pressure form the religious Jews to add works to salvation. Paul gives them the weapons they need to fight such heresy. If God saves us by works he is in our debt. This could never be possible with the almighty God. To think he owes us anything is absurd.

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

These verses further reinforce salvation by grace.

9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

We then go back to Abraham. He was uncircumcised when God bless him for his righteousness. He was just like everyone else, except he believed in God and feared him. That was counted for righteousness.

11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

The Jews said that the Christians had to be circumcised. These verses rebuke that notion. The circumcision is merely symbolic of righteousness.

14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

It goes on to say, that if salvation was by the law, than the promise is of no effect

16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

These verses address the nation of Israel and how they were formed. It was by Abraham's Faith. The following verses reinforce that by reciting Jewish history.

19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

The last 2 verses clearly state that Jesus paid for our sins on the cross and it is a free gift to anyone who believes. The same as how Abraham trusted God. It is imputed to anyone for righteousness.

24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.