In previous verses, Paul established that no one will gain "good standing" with God by obeying his laws. Instead, people will be justified (declared "not guilty" and made right with God) by placing their trust in Jesus Christ.
Because of this, any kind of boasting someone might do because of their moral behavior or religious/cultural background is irrelevant. Because "works" (moral behavior and obedience to God's commands) are not factored into our justification. Only the authenticity of our faith in Christ. (v. 27-28)
Paul argues that there must be one universal way in which all people can be made right with God. The first article of Jewish faith is that God is one. There is no other God but Yahweh. Even though God gave the law specifically to the Jews, he is not only the God of the Jews. He is the God of all, and justifies everyone based on their faith in Jesus. (v. 29-30)
Paul deflects potential accusations of being against the law by saying that, rather than overthrowing the law, we should "uphold" the law. (v.31) The Greek word here for "uphold" does not mean "obey", but "establish" or "make to stand". While not teaching a return to the Mosaic Law, Paul affirms its value. Paul will teach more specifically about the place of the law in chapters 6-8.
Paul then points to Abraham, the revered Jewish forefather whom God chose as the man from which the entire nation of Israel would come. If he was made right with God because of his own effort, he would rightfully be able to boast to others about it, which he never did. (And he certainly didn't boast to God.) Instead, Paul points to scripture (Genesis 15:6) which says that "Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness." The Hebrew word for "counted" or "reckoned" in Genesis 15:6 is an accounting term. There is a sense in which God changed Abraham's "official sin record" because of the faith he placed in God. (4:3)
If righteousness (meeting God's standard of goodness) is possible through obeying the law, then our relationship with and need for God is very different than if righteousness only comes through faith. If we can become righteous through our personal effort, the rewards God has for us here and especially in eternity are not gifts, but payment that he is obligated to give in exchange for our work. (v.4) This is a far cry from how the Old Testmant writings portray our relationship of dependence on God!
On the other hand, trusting in God to justify us (make our "official sin records" clean) is consistent with what is taught in the Old Testament. (v. 5-8)
Next Week- Abraham: Model Jew or Model Christian?
Coffee House Question- What do you think the world would look like if absolutely everyone believed in God and also believed that we had to earn good standing with him through our obedience to his law?
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