6-8. David also describeth—"speaketh," "pronounceth." the blessedness of the man unto whom the Lord imputeth righteousness without works—whom, though void of all good works, He, nevertheless, regards and treats as righteous. read more
7, 8. Saying, Blessed, c.— (Psalms 32:1 Psalms 32:2). David here sings in express terms only of "transgression forgiven, sin covered, iniquity not imputed"; but as the negative blessing necessarily includes the positive, the passage is strictly in point. read more
9-12. Cometh this blessedness then, c.—that is, "Say not, All this is spoken of the circumcised, and is therefore no evidence of God's general way of justifying men for Abraham's justification took place long before he was circumcised, and so could have no dependence upon that rite: nay, 'the sign of circumcision' was given to Abraham as 'a seal' (or token) of the (justifying) righteousness which he had before he was circumcised; in order that he might stand forth to every age as the parent... read more
13-15. For the promise, &c.—This is merely an enlargement of the foregoing reasoning, applying to the law what had just been said of circumcision. that he should be the heir of the world—or, that "all the families of the earth should be blessed in him." was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law—in virtue of obedience to the law. but through the righteousness of faith—in virtue of his simple faith in the divine promises. read more
14. For if they which are of the law be heirs—If the blessing is to be earned by obedience to the law. faith is made void—the whole divine method is subverted. read more
15. Because the law worketh wrath—has nothing to give to those who break is but condemnation and vengeance. for where there is no law, there is no transgression—It is just the law that makes transgression, in the case of those who break it; nor can the one exist without the other. read more
16, 17. Therefore, &c.—A general summary: "Thus justification is by faith, in order that its purely gracious character may be seen, and that all who follow in the steps of Abraham's faith—whether of his natural seed or no—may be assured of the like justification with the parent believer." read more
17. As it is written, &c.— (Genesis 17:5). This is quoted to justify his calling Abraham the "father of us all," and is to be viewed as a parenthesis. before—that is, "in the reckoning of." him whom he believed—that is, "Thus Abraham, in the reckoning of Him whom he believed, is the father of us all, in order that all may be assured, that doing as he did, they shall be treated as he was." even God, quickeneth the dead—The nature and greatness of that faith of Abraham which we are to copy is... read more
18-22. Who against hope—when no ground for hope appeared. believed in hope—that is, cherished the believing expectation. that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be—that is, Such "as the stars of heaven," Genesis 15:5. read more
Obtenga el versículo bíblico diario todos los días en su bandeja de entrada
Leer en el móvil
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