Romans 1-8, 1 Corinthians 1-2, Philippians

Paul interprets the story of Abraham in Genesis by saying that Abraham’s faith earned him favor with God. Paul argues that being upright before God is dependent on one’s faith. Abraham’s faith made him an upright man and led him to sacrifice his son before God, because of his faith God looked upon him with favor. Paul declares that faith and uprightness is inseparable. Also Paul argues, that Abraham’s justification does not come from his works or actions, but from his faith in God. He makes this clear when he contrasts the story of Abraham’s sacrifice in Genesis with an experience of a working man. A working man expects to be paid, being paid is not considered to him a favor. On the other hand, God expects Abraham’s faith, it is not considered a favor. Paul also argues that circumcision recognizes one as upright, but already present faith is necessary for this recognition. Circumcision is a sign of already present faith, and intermarries this faith with uprightness. Abraham is a leader of all faithful people, whether circumcised or uncircumcised. Paul also argues that living the Laws just for inheritance of the earth is not enough, and that humans must live the Laws with an uprightness of faith, which requires believing with a living faith. Inheritance of the earth is not a reward for those who live by God’s laws; it is a fulfillment of a promise to those with upright faithfulness. Further, Paul states that “the Law produces nothing but God’s retribution”, meaning God expects us to follow his laws because those laws are necessary for humans to live in peace. God also expects our faith, but this means much more because it is a “free gift” given by us to God (there is no expected reward). Paul’s main argument throughout this verse is that we must keep faith in God, not only because we will be “reckoned” as upright but because faith is all-powerful and allows us to see God’s power within us. Paul turned to Abraham because he saw it as a way to related the God of the OT with the God of the NT. He also could have turned to Abraham because Abraham, a human, as our “father” is a much easier concept to understand than omnipotent God as our father. Abraham “is our father in the eyes of God”, yet God is our true father. Abraham is also an ideal example of unwavering faith which reckoned to God as uprightness, as seen in God allowing Abraham’s son to live.