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

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:2

2. For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God—"If works were the ground of Abraham's justification, he would have matter for boasting; but as it is perfectly certain that he hath none in the sight of God, it follows that Abraham could not have been justified by works." And to this agree the words of Scripture. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:3

3. For what saith the, Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it—his faith. was counted to him for righteousness— (Genesis 15:6). Romish expositors and Arminian Protestants make this to mean that God accepted Abraham's act of believing as a substitute for complete obedience. But this is at variance with the whole spirit and letter of the apostle's teaching. Throughout this whole argument, faith is set in direct opposition to works, in the matter of justification—and even in Romans 4:4; Romans... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

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

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

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:5

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:1

He started with a rhetorical question that he used often in Romans (cf. Romans 6:1; Romans 7:7; Romans 8:31; Romans 9:14; Romans 9:30): "What then shall we say?" By referring to Abraham as "our forefather after the flesh" (Romans 4:1) Paul revealed that he was aiming these comments at his Jewish readers primarily. Abraham’s case is significant for Gentiles as well, however, because in another sense, as the father of the faithful, he is the father of "us all" (Romans 4:16). "All" refers to all... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:1-5

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:2

This verse applies Paul’s earlier statement about boasting (Romans 3:27) to Abraham’s case for the sake of contrast. Abraham had no ground for boasting before God because he received justification by faith, not by works. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:3

In Paul’s day many of the rabbis taught that Abraham experienced justification because of his obedience rather than because of his faith. [Note: Harrison, p. 47. Cf. 1 Maccabees 2:51.] They also taught that Abraham had a surplus of merit that was available to his descendants, the Jews. [Note: Robertson, 4:350; Witmer, p. 453. Cf. Luke 3:8.] Consequently the apostle went back to Genesis 15:6 for his authority.Exactly what Abraham believed is not clear in Genesis 15. The Hebrew conjunction waw... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:4-5

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

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Romans 4:3

4:3 say? (b-6) See Genesis 15:6 . as (c-17) I am not quite satisfied with 'as;' but it is the nearest approach to the sense in English. 'For,' I object to; because then faith is made of positive worth, having the value of righteousness; whereas the sense is that he was holden for righteous in virtue of faith. 'For' does not go far enough as righteousness; too far as to a positive value of faith. Faith might be reckoned for righteousness, and yet the righteousness come short of what was... read more

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:2

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:3

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

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:5

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:1

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:1-5

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:2

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:3

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:4-5

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Romans 4:3

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