The Justification of Abraham

The Justification of Abraham

Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary

Scripture Text: Galatians 3:8 and Genesis 12:1–3

Series: Comments on Galatians

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

Abraham, along with his father Terah, once served other gods (Joshua 24:2). They were idolaters. They deserved God’s condemnation, yet God offered Abraham mercy through his grace alone. There was nothing Abraham had done to merit God’s grace when God called him out of the land of Ur, out of bondage to idol worship and paganism. Just the opposite seems to be the case. Any self-respecting Jew would have said, Who is this heathen, that he should be given God’s blessing? He hasn’t kept the law and he knows nothing of the religious traditions of our people. 

That is Paul’s point (3:8). The Gentiles are justified by faith — but so are the Jews. If Abraham’s works did not justify him to God, then how could any follower of Father Abraham be justified by his works? They cannot, nor can we. We are justified by faith and not by works, Just as Abraham was justified for his faith alone. 

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