“And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed’”
foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith,
Paul personifies Scripture as foreseeing the Gentiles coming to salvation by faith.
preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand,
God preached the gospel of grace through faith in Abraham’s day. Abraham was a Gentile before God justified him. When he believed the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12-15), God declared him righteous.
saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed
This phrase is a quotation from the Abrahamic covenant showing that Gentiles are involved in God’s salvation. Both Jews and Gentiles find the identical ground in salvation by grace through faith. God is free to act kindly toward Gentiles because He provided a “faith” salvation for them. Salvation is an act of grace not earned by our efforts.
The phrase “in you” refers to Abraham. The Messiah would come through Abraham. In this way, Abraham would bless the Gentiles.
Principle:
God does not have two plans of salvation, one for Jews and one for Gentiles.
Application:
God always saves people by their personal faith in the finished work of Christ. God’s method of salvation is the same for all people of all time. God does not save people because of their ethnic status. Rites such as circumcision or baptism have nothing to do with salvation.
