Romans 4:1-5,Romans 4:13-17,John 3:16,John 3:1-17

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 4:2

For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God.By works ... is an unfortunate rendition, because the expression seems to take sides in an old controversy, appearing to be antithetical to salvation "by faith only" as advocated by the commentators; and the implicit denial of it here is construed as support of their theory. Nothing like that is here. "Works" simply means the law of Moses, "works of law," the alternate reading (English Revised Version (1885)... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 4:3

For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.This is a quotation from Genesis 15:6, introduced to show that Abraham could not possibly have been justified by the law, because in that reference, such a long while before the law, and even before the covenant of circumcision, Abraham appears in scriptures as already a believer in God, in fact, God's faithful servant, being already reckoned as righteous in God's sight on the basis of... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 4:4

Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt.This verse is a simple statement of the truth that if one's hope of salvation is based upon his having kept the law of Moses perfectly, then such a person could claim that God owed him salvation; and it would not be by virtue of God's grace at all in such an event. To be sure, no person could possibly achieve such a thing as perfect fulfillment of the law. No objection can be raised to what Paul here stated. It is... read more

James Burton Coffman

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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:1

Romans 4:1. What shall we then say— In the foregoing chapter the Apostle has proved, that neitherJews nor Gentiles have a right to the blessings of God's peculiar kingdom, otherwise than by grace, which is free to the one, as well as the other. In this chapter he advances to a new argument, admirably adapted to convince the Jew; to shew the believingGentile in a clear light the high value of the mercies freelybestowed upon him in the Gospel, and at the same time to display the wondrous plans of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:2

Romans 4:2. But not before God— This appears to be the Apostle's answer to the Jew's objection (Romans 4:1-2.), and it implies that Abraham might have some sort of glorying, possibly such as the Apostle himself had, 1Co 9:15. 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 10:18; 2 Corinthians 11:16-30. The Apostle had glorying in his superior vouchsafements and labour, but only before men, and with respect to them; not before God, in regard to whom his language was, Not I, but the grace... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:3

Romans 4:3. It was counted— The original word 'Ελογισθη, in our translation, is rendered counted, reckoned, Romans 4:4, &c. and imputed, Romans 4:6, &c.: but as the word and the sense are constantly the same, it would certainly have been better to have rendered it constantly by one word; and reckoned seems as proper as any other. Indeed this is a remark which may be extended to many other words; as it would certainly help the English reader to find out and pursue the sense of Scripture,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:4

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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:5

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

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:1

1-3. What shall we say then that Abraham, our father as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?—that is, (as the order in the original shows), "hath found, as pertaining to ('according to,' or 'through') the flesh"; meaning, "by all his natural efforts or legal obedience." read more

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 4:2

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 4:3

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 4:4

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 4:5

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:1

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:2

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:3

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:4

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:5

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:1

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