In his letter to the Romans, Paul’s use of Old Testament events and illustrations proclaimed the glory of Jesus Christ by encouraging and teaching believers how to obtain righteousness through faith. Jesus’ death on the cross fulfilled the prophecy of the Law so that all who believed would receive justification through faith. This research paper focuses on how Paul presented God’s covenant through Abraham’s submissive trust and enduring obedience, to help both the Jew and the Gentiles interpret how righteousness was available through the Messiah.
Perhaps the best Old Testament illustration Paul writes on how to obtain righteousness is the Abrahamic covenant. In Romans 4:13, Paul interprets Abraham’s relationship with God as the foundation for understanding “justification by faith.” Paul’s main point in verse thirteen is that justification is not by works but by faith. Hence, Paul is stating a …show more content…
The negative side to Roman 1:18 speaks clearly of those that would have returned to Gentile ungodliness and unrighteousness. This would have resulted in a relapse for Abraham and possibly sent Jews into opposition against God. In Genesis 15:8 Abraham asked, “How shall I know…?” It appears in the Jewish areas this was seen as a doubting question. However, Schliesser points out that if Abraham moved from faith to unbelief, he would have returned to that stage in his life which he had left behind through his coming to faith upon God’s promise. Romans 4:20 boldly states Abraham did not waver in his faith and in the process continually gave God the glory.
Paul’s use of the Old Testament in Romans shows how the Messiah to come had fulfilled prophecy in the Law. In Romans 3:20-21, prophets in the Old Testament predicted the good news of the righteousness of God that would come through faith in Jesus Christ. According to Psalm 143:2, no one is living in righteousness without faith in Jesus
Perhaps the best Old Testament illustration Paul writes on how to obtain righteousness is the Abrahamic covenant. In Romans 4:13, Paul interprets Abraham’s relationship with God as the foundation for understanding “justification by faith.” Paul’s main point in verse thirteen is that justification is not by works but by faith. Hence, Paul is stating a …show more content…
The negative side to Roman 1:18 speaks clearly of those that would have returned to Gentile ungodliness and unrighteousness. This would have resulted in a relapse for Abraham and possibly sent Jews into opposition against God. In Genesis 15:8 Abraham asked, “How shall I know…?” It appears in the Jewish areas this was seen as a doubting question. However, Schliesser points out that if Abraham moved from faith to unbelief, he would have returned to that stage in his life which he had left behind through his coming to faith upon God’s promise. Romans 4:20 boldly states Abraham did not waver in his faith and in the process continually gave God the glory.
Paul’s use of the Old Testament in Romans shows how the Messiah to come had fulfilled prophecy in the Law. In Romans 3:20-21, prophets in the Old Testament predicted the good news of the righteousness of God that would come through faith in Jesus Christ. According to Psalm 143:2, no one is living in righteousness without faith in Jesus