How does the Bible teach that righteousness has always been by faith apart from works, even in the Old Testament?
Orientation
A common assumption is that Old Testament believers were justified by a mixture of faith and works, such as sacrifices and law-keeping, but this creates a burden of performance and uncertainty.
- The assumption persists because we see religious observance in the Old Testament.
- This view places the believer under the impossible demand of perfect law-keeping.
- It introduces a conditional basis for righteousness that undermines assurance.
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (Galatians 3:10)
— Galatians 3:10
Clarification
Righteousness was never obtained by works in any age; the Law's purpose was to reveal human inability and the curse, not to provide a path to justification.
- The Law entered to expose sin and pronounce a curse on all who fail to keep it perfectly.
- Figures like David, who lived under the Law, praised God for imputing righteousness apart from works.
- The Law's function was always diagnostic, not salvific.
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. (Romans 4:6-8)
— Romans 4:6-8
Structure
Biblical logic shows a consistent pattern from Abraham to Christ: righteousness is imputed through faith alone, a principle that predates and transcends the Law.
- Abraham was justified by faith before the Law was given, establishing the foundational pattern.
- Christ became a curse to redeem believers from the Law's curse, securing justification by faith.
- This creates an unbroken testimony of grace from the Patriarchs to the present age.
And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15:6)
— Genesis 15:6
Weight-Bearing Prose
Paul’s theological argument establishes that righteousness has always been by faith apart from works. He cites Abraham, justified before circumcision or the Law, as the definitive pattern (Romans 4:1-3). This principle of imputed righteousness—God counting faith as righteousness—is the only basis for a right standing with Him. The Mosaic Law did not alter this. Its purpose was to reveal transgression and place all under a curse (Galatians 3:19-22). David’s testimony under the Law confirms the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness without works (Romans 4:6-8). Therefore, justification by works of law is impossible for any person in any dispensation. Christ’s death is the necessary and sufficient solution: He became a curse for us to redeem us from the Law’s curse, so that the blessing of Abraham—justification by faith—might come to all who believe (Galatians 3:13-14). To reintroduce works as a basis for righteousness is to nullify grace and render Christ’s death meaningless (Galatians 2:21). The Pauline categories are clear: faith versus works, grace versus law, gift versus wage, curse versus blessing.
Integration
Your right standing before God has never been, and could never be, based on your performance. It was secured by Christ becoming a curse for you, bearing the full weight of the Law’s condemnation. The righteousness you have is imputed—counted to you—because you believed God’s promise concerning His Son. This was true for Abraham, it was true for David, and it is true for you. There is no hierarchy of maturity in this; the simplest faith receives the same perfect righteousness. Rest in the finished work. Christ is your righteousness. Any pressure you feel to establish your own standing is removed by the historical fact of His cross. Your assurance is anchored in His work alone, a gift received by faith, just as it has always been.