The Apostle Paul used the phrase "obedience of faith" as virtual bookends for his letter to the Romans. He employed it near the opening of the epistle, in Rom 1:5 and again near the end, in Rom 16:26.
His Greek phrase "obedience of faith" is written in a way that declares obedience is generated by faith, that obedience arises from faith. And the Greek word he used for obedience literally means "under hearing" - submissive hearing. Paul says he is calling us to heed the words of Christ by faith and do what He says.
It is interesting that Paul would teach true hearing is generated by faith, since he tells us in the middle of the same book that faith comes by hearing (Rom 10:5). So, the very faith that first rises up in us when we hear the word of God generates a faithful hearing of the word of God.
Now, we know faith alone is a very powerful thing. It can move spiritual mountains and quench fiery darts. Faith alone calls down the grace of God upon us. Paul quotes the powerful statement from Genesis, "Abraham believed God and He credited it to him as righteousness" in Romans 4, and then fully develops it: No work is needed to please God. Apart from the Law and apart from good deeds, we please Him by placing our faith in Christ and His promises.
So, why does Paul twice say he wants to stir up the obedience of faith in us? Is it because Jesus declared, "If you love Me, keep my commands"? Perhaps it is because James said our faith is "fulfilled" by obeying God (Jam 2:23).
We know the servants at the wedding in Cana believed Jesus could change water to wine, not because they said so, but because they demonstrated their belief by carrying that water to the host of the banquet.
So, it is certainly true that Abraham pleased God merely by believing Him. Believing brought a blessing. Yet later, when the LORD spoke of Abraham as He established His covenant with Isaac, He didn't mention that famous believing incident. Instead, He commended Isaac's father to him in this way: "Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws" (Gen 26:5).
As the Apostle Paul declared, "So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and at Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, practicing deeds appropriate to repentance" (Act 26:19-20).
A faith that doesn't move us to obey God is a faith that won't move the heart of God. As it is written, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Lk 6:46). Jesus finished that thought by declaring the one who not only hears Him but also puts His words into practice is the one who builds his house upon the rock. Floods may come, and torrents may rage, but the house of the heedful won't be shaken.
- Matt Schilling
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