Romans 4:4. Of grace— Of favour. Raphelius has shewn that the Greek word Μισθος does not only mean a reward of debt, but also a gift of favour; and that the phrase μισθον δωρεην, occurs in Herodotus: so that a reward of grace or favour is a classical as well as theological expression. read more
Romans 4:5. The ungodly— Abraham is the subject of the Apostle's discourse; and he plainly hints, though he did not choose to speak out, that even Abraham before his conversion was chargeable with not paying due reverence and worship to God, as the word 'Ασεβης, which we render ungodly, properly imports. See on chap. Romans 1:18. read more
4, 5. Now to him that worketh—as a servant for wages. is the reward not reckoned of grace—as a matter of favor. but of debt—as a matter of right. read more
5. But to him that worketh not—who, despairing of acceptance with God by "working" for it the work of obedience, does not attempt it. but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly—casts himself upon the mercy of Him that justifieth those who deserve only condemnation. his faith, &c.—(See on :-). Second: David sings of the same justification. read more
1. Abraham’s justification by faith 4:1-5Paul began this chapter by showing that God declared Abraham righteous because of the patriarch’s faith. read more
Romans 4:4-5 contrast faith and works. Work yields wages that the person working deserves. Faith receives a gift (Romans 4:4; lit. grace, Gr. charin) that the person believing does not deserve. Incredibly, God justifies those who not only fail to deserve justification but deserve condemnation because they are "ungodly" (NASB) or "wicked" (NIV; Romans 4:5; cf. Romans 3:24). This is how far God’s grace goes (cf. Deuteronomy 25:1)!"Here in a nutshell is the Pauline doctrine of justification by... read more
4:5 on (d-10) See Note, Acts 9:42 . read more
Acceptance by Faith foreshadowed in the old DispensationIn Romans 3:21.; St. Paul set forth the great truth of acceptance by faith. A Jew might object that it was new, and therefore not true. In Romans 3:31; St. Paul answered that in the Law and in faith there is the same moral and religious ideal, which is more completely developed and more perfectly fulfilled by faith. Now he turns to the past, to show that acceptance by faith is not a new idea. It was faith for which Abraham was accepted,... read more
IV.(1-25) The subject of the chapter is an application of the foregoing to the special (and crucial) case of Abraham, with particular reference to two ideas that are continually recurring throughout the last chapter: (1) the supposed superiority of Jew to Gentile (and, à fortiori, of the great progenitor of the Jews); (2) the idea of boasting or glorying based upon this superiority. Following out this the Apostle shows how even Abraham’s case tells, not against, but for the doctrine of... read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 4:5
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.Worketh not ... is a reference to one who rests from any thought that he could merit salvation by keeping the law of Moses. It is not a reference to one who will not obey the gospel of Christ.Believeth on him that justifieth ... is a reference to obedient faith, the kind exemplified by Abraham and discussed at length under Romans 4:3; the fact of obedience not being mentioned... read more