This page gives you Romans 4 Bible study questions with leader’s notes for a whole chapter. It suits a small group, a Sunday class or personal study. Each question comes with a discussion note so a leader can move straight from the text into conversation, without preparing a separate summary first.
Romans 4 at a Glance
Paul uses Abraham as the test case for how a person is made right with God. He first argues that Abraham was not justified by works, since the Scripture says Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. He then turns to David, who describes the blessing of forgiveness that comes apart from works, and to the question of whether that blessing belongs only to Jewish people or to the uncircumcised as well.
From there Paul shows that the promise to Abraham rested on faith rather than on the law, so that it could be sure to all his offspring. The chapter closes with Abraham’s trust in God’s power to bring life out of what seemed dead, and with the point that this same faith is credited to believers who trust in Jesus, who was raised for our justification.
Observation Questions
Use these questions first, before anyone offers an interpretation. Ask the group to point to the words on the page and to name what is actually said. Let silence sit for a moment before moving on.
Q: In verses 1-3, what does Paul ask about Abraham, and what Scripture does he quote in reply?
1 What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not toward God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
Romans 4:1-3 (WEB)
Paul asks what Abraham has found according to the flesh, then answers by quoting Genesis: Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. The group should notice that the quotation does not mention circumcision, works, or the law. Ask what it would mean for the word “believed” to be the whole story at this point.
Q: In verses 4-5, how does Paul contrast the one who works with the one who does not work?
4 Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as something owed. 5 But to him who doesn’t work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.
Romans 4:4-5 (WEB)
Paul says that wages earned are owed, while a gift is received. The one who works receives something counted as owed, but the one who does not work and believes in the God who justifies the ungodly has faith counted as righteousness. Invite the group to say why Paul uses the picture of a paycheck, and whether that picture feels comfortable or uncomfortable.
Q: In verses 7-8, what does David say about the person whose sins are covered?
7 “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man whom the Lord will by no means charge with sin.”
Romans 4:7-8 (WEB)
Paul brings in David’s words from the psalm to describe blessing that comes through forgiveness. The blessing is pronounced on those whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered, and on the one whom the Lord will not charge with sin. Ask the group to name the three pictures of forgiveness used here and what each one adds to the idea.
Q: In verses 9-12, what does Paul say about when Abraham’s faith was counted to him?
9 Is this blessing then pronounced on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How then was it counted? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they might be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be accounted to them. 12 He is the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had in uncircumcision.
Romans 4:9-12 (WEB)
Paul insists that faith was counted to Abraham before he received circumcision, which came later as a sign and seal. This makes Abraham the father of all who believe, whether they are circumcised or not. Ask the group what the timing of the reckoning teaches about whether any outward mark can earn or secure righteousness.
Interpretation Questions
These questions ask what the chapter means, not only what it says. Encourage several people to answer before the leader offers a view. Where the group disagrees, that is a good sign that the text is being read carefully.
Q: In verses 13-15, why does Paul say that the promise cannot rest on the law?
13 For the promise to Abraham and to his offspring that he should be heir of the world wasn’t through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect. 15 For the law produces wrath, for where there is no law, neither is there disobedience.
Romans 4:13-15 (WEB)
Paul argues that if inheritance came through the law, faith would be empty and the promise would be made void. He adds that the law produces wrath, since where there is no law there is no transgression to be judged. Discuss with the group why Paul treats the law as a poor foundation for a promise, and what he sees as the advantage of a promise that rests on grace.
Q: In verses 16-17, what does it mean that the promise is “of faith, that it may be according to grace”?
16 For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the offspring, 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. 17 As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations.” This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were.
Romans 4:16-17 (WEB)
Paul connects faith with grace, so that the promise is secured for all of Abraham’s offspring rather than for only one group of descendants. The phrase “the father of us all” widens the family to include anyone who shares Abraham’s faith. Ask the group how this shapes their sense of who belongs to the family of God.
Q: In verses 18-21, what kind of faith does Abraham show, and what is he fully assured of?
18 Besides hope, Abraham in hope believed, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, “So will your offspring be.” 19 Without being weakened in faith, he didn’t consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn’t waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was also able to perform.
Romans 4:18-21 (WEB)
Abraham hopes against hope, does not weaken in faith when he considers his own body and Sarah’s womb, and does not waver through unbelief. He gives glory to God because he is fully assured that God is able to perform what he has promised. Invite the group to describe the difference between naive optimism and the trust Paul is describing here.
Q: In verses 23-25, why does Paul say the righteousness credited to Abraham was also written for our sake?
23 Now it was not written that it was accounted to him for his sake alone, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.
Romans 4:23-25 (WEB)
Paul says the reckoning of righteousness was written for us, to whom it will be credited when we believe in the God who raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Ask the group to explain how the resurrection and the cross together shape what Paul means by justification.
Application Questions
These questions move from the text to daily life. Give people a minute of quiet before asking them to share, and invite honest answers rather than polished ones. Close this part by asking one person to name a concrete step they plan to take this week.
Q: What would change in your relationships if you saw other believers as part of Abraham’s family, whatever their background?
11 He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they might be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be accounted to them. 12 He is the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had in uncircumcision.
Romans 4:11-12 (WEB)
Paul makes Abraham the father of all who believe, including those outside the circumcision. Ask the group whether anyone in their own congregation or circle feels like an outsider, and what a welcome grounded in shared faith would require of them. Encourage specific, humble answers.
Q: How does knowing that Jesus was raised for your justification affect the way you face fear or failure this week?
24 But for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.
Romans 4:24-25 (WEB)
Paul ties our righteousness to the death and resurrection of Jesus, so that failure does not have the final word. Ask the group to share a fear or failure they are carrying and to say what it would mean to bring it to the risen Christ. Close by reading the verses together slowly, letting the words settle.
Key Verses to Read Aloud
Romans 4:3
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
(WEB)
Read this verse aloud first, since it is the Scripture Paul builds his whole argument upon. Ask the group to listen for the one word that carries the weight of the chapter, and to name it.
Romans 4:5
But to him who doesn’t work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.
(WEB)
This verse states the heart of the chapter in one sentence: God justifies the ungodly through faith. Reading it aloud helps the group hear the good news that the reckoning is grace, not wages.
Romans 4:16
For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the offspring, 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.
(WEB)
This verse links faith, grace, and the promise to all the offspring. Reading it aloud reminds the group that the promise is sure because it rests on God’s grace rather than on human effort.
Romans 4:20-21
20 Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn’t waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was also able to perform.
(WEB)
These verses describe Abraham’s strengthened faith and his full assurance in God’s power. Reading them aloud gives the group a picture of trust that is honest about difficulty and still gives glory to God.
Romans 4:25
Who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.
(WEB)
This verse closes the chapter by tying the cross and the resurrection to our justification. Reading it last lets the group end the session with the central truth of the gospel, stated plainly.
Memory Verse for Romans 4
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we thank you that you counted Abraham’s faith as righteousness and that you extend the same grace to us. Forgive us for the times we have tried to earn what only you can give, and for the times we have doubted your promise when circumstances looked impossible. Strengthen our trust in you the way you strengthened Abraham’s, so that we give you glory in every season. Thank you that Jesus was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Keep us in your family, and help us welcome one another as those who share the same faith. Amen.
