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Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:7

Blessed - Happy are they: they are highly favored; see the note at Matthew 5:3.Whose sins are covered - Are concealed; or hidden from the view. On which God will no more look, and which he will no more remember. “By these words,” says Calvin (in loco), “we are taught that justification with Paul is nothing else but pardon of sin.” The word “cover” here has no reference to the atonement, but is expressive of hiding, or concealing that is, of forgiving sin. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 4:6-8

Romans 4:6-8. Even as David also David is fitly introduced after Abraham, because he also received and delivered down the promise; describeth the blessedness or happiness of the man Or affirms that the man is blessed, or happy; unto whom God imputeth righteousness Or whom he accounts righteous, accepts as such; without works That is, without regard to any former good works supposed to have been done by him. Saying, Blessed Greek, μακαριοι , happy are they whose iniquities are... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Romans 4:1-25

Some examples (4:1-25)To illustrate what he has just been teaching, Paul refers to the example of Abraham. Abraham was justified because of his faith, not because of any good deeds that he did (4:1-3). (To understand the illustrations concerning Abraham that follow, read Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 15:1-6; Genesis 16:1-16; Genesis 17:15-22; Genesis 18:1-15; Genesis 21:1-21.)Righteousness is a gift received by faith, not payment for work that a person does (4-5). David, as well as Abraham, knew that... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Romans 4:7

Blessed . App-63 . iniquities . App-128 . forgiven . App-174 . sins . App-128 . covered = covered over. Greek. epikalupto. Only here. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:7

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:6-8

2. David’s testimony to justification by faith 4:6-8Paul cited another eminent man in Jewish history whose words harmonized with the apostle’s. Whereas Abraham lived before the Mosaic Law, David lived under it. Abraham’s story is in the law section of the Hebrew Bible, and David’s is in the prophets section. Here is the second witness Paul referred to in Romans 3:21. Abraham represents the patriarchal period of Israel’s history and David the monarchy period. As Israel’s greatest king, one would... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:1-25

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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Romans 4:1-25

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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Romans 4:6-8

(6-8) A further instance of the nature of the justification which proceeds from faith is supplied by David. From his evidence it will appear that such justification implies, not the absence of sin, but its forgiveness; not its real obliteration, but the forbearance of God to impute it. It is an amnesty, not an acquittal. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Romans 4:7

(7) Forgiven.—The stress is upon this word; “whose sins are not abolished, but forgiven; not annihilated, but covered up, removed from sight, hidden by the absolving grace of God.” read more

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