Romans 4:14,15 - Where there is no Law

4:14

Paul continues the argument that salvation is by faith, not law. In Genesis, especially Genesis 15, faith is central to God’s working with Abraham, and His promises to him. So if Law is the basis for God’s promises being fulfilled, for receiving the blessings then God’s dealing with Abraham make no sense. The statement “his faith was credited to him as righteousness” is rendered meaningless. The gospel actually makes more sense of the Old Testament than the Jewish interpretation of the Law does.

If Law is the basis for receiving the blessings then the promise is negated as well. God’s promises to Abraham did not depend upon the Law. This left a mystery. How could a wicked people (which includes all Jews and all Gentiles) inherit the promises of a righteous God? It is the cross which answers this problem.

4:15

The Law brings wrath. Now many folk don’t like the idea of wrath. Well to such people there is only one thing to say, just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it isn’t true. The Law shows up our sinfulness, it demonstrates how far short we fall of the glory of God. Therefore the Law brings judgement upon us. It also, as Paul will show in chapter 7, provokes sinful desires in us. Because we are told not to do something it makes us more likely to do it.

So while Law is unable to do anything to save us, it is still necessary. “where there is no law there is no transgression”. Transgression refers to overstepping the mark, crossing the line. We need to be told where the lines are. The Law shows up what is truly in our hearts, it highlights our need for salvation.