Romans 4:2-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:1-25

Abraham's faith. We have already seen how the apostle has prepared the way for the great doctrine of justification by faith. He showed in the first two chapters that man has no righteousness of his own, that he could not justify himself, but, on the contrary, that both Jew and Gentile are all under sin. "There is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Now, in this fourth chapter, he shows that this great fact—the necessity for justification by faith—has... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:1-25

Abraham justified by faith alone. We have just seen in last chapter the utility of Judaism, the universal depravity of the race, the new channel for Divine righteousness which had consequently to be found, and the confirmation of law which is secured by faith. The apostle in the present chapter illustrates his argument from the history of Abraham. He was reckoned by the Jews as "father of the faithful;" his case is, therefore, a crucial one. Accordingly, Paul begins by asking, "What shall... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:2

For if Abraham was justified by works, be hath whereof to glory; but not before God. Many commentators take this verse to imply that, even if he was justified by works, he still had no ground of glorying before God, though he might have before men. But the drift of the whole argument being to show that he was not justified by works at all, this interpretation can hardly stand. "Not before God" must therefore have reference to the whole of the preceding sentence, in the sense, "It was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:3

For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned Unto him for righteousness. This notable text ( Genesis 15:6 ), declaring the ground of Abraham's acceptance, is similarly quoted in the cognate passage, Galatians 3:6 . It has a peculiar cogency in the general argument from being in connection with, and with reference to, one of the Divine promises to Abraham of an unnumbered seed; so that it may be understood with an extended application to those who were to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:2

For if Abraham ... - This is the answer of the apostle. If Abraham was justified on the ground of his own merits, he would have reason to boast, or to claim praise. He might regard himself as the author of it, and take the praise to himself; see Romans 4:4. The inquiry, therefore, was, whether in the account of the justification of Abraham, there was to be found any such statement of a reason for self-confidence and boasting.But not before God - In the sight of God. That is, in his recorded... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:3

For what saith the Scripture? - The inspired account of Abraham’s justification. This account was final, and was to settle the question. This account is found in Genesis 15:6.Abraham believed God - In the Hebrew, “Abraham believed Yahweh.” The sense is substantially the same, as the argument turns on the act of believing. The faith which Abraham exercised was, that his posterity should be like the stars of heaven in number. This promise was made to him when he had no child, and of course when... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 4:3

Romans 4:3 . For what saith the Scripture? What is Moses’s account of this matter? Abraham believed God Namely, that promise of God, recorded Genesis 15:5, that he should have a seed numerous as the stars. As also the promise concerning Christ, mentioned Genesis 12:3, through whom all nations should be blessed. “The apostle mentions only this one instance of Abraham’s faith, because Moses had said of it in particular, that it was counted to him for righteousness. But we must not, on that... 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 4:2

if App-118 . justified . App-191 . by . Greek. ek . App-104 . glory . Greek. kauchema. See Romans 3:27 and 2 Corinthians 9:3 . not . App-105 . before . Greek. pros. App-104 . God . App-98 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Romans 4:3

the Scripture . Genesis 15:6 . Abraham . Read, "Now Abraham. " believed . App-150 . counted = reckoned, imputed. Greek. logizomai. See Romans 2:3 (Paul quotes the Septuagint) unto = to. righteousness . App-191 . read more

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