Romans 4:2-9 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:8

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. As he does not to those whom he justifies in Christ, and by his righteousness; for the sins of such he has imputed to his Son, as their surety; and he has bore them, took them away, having made full satisfaction for them; so that these persons will never be charged with them: they now appear before the throne without fault, and are blameless and irreproveable in the sight of God, and therefore must be eternally happy; for he will never... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:9

Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only ?.... That is, upon the circumcised Jews; are they the only persons that partake of this happiness? the word "only" is rightly supplied, and is in the Claromontane exemplar used by Beza, and in the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions: or upon the uncircumcision also ? upon the uncircumcised Gentiles; do not they likewise share in this blessedness? for we say, that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness . The design... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:2

For if Abraham were justified by works - The Jew proceeds: - I conclude, therefore, that Abraham was justified by works, or by his obedience to this law of circumcision; and, consequently, he has cause for glorying, καυχημα , to exult in something which he has done to entitle him to these blessings. Now, it is evident that he has this glorying, and consequently that he was justified by works. Apostle. But not before God - These seem to be the apostle's words, and contain the beginning... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:3

For, what saith the Scripture? - The Scriptural account of this transaction, Genesis 15:6 , is decisive; for there it is said, Abraham believed God, and it was counted, ελογισθη , it was reckoned to him for righteousness, εις δικαιοσυνην , for justification. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:4

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt - Therefore, if Abraham had been justified by works, the blessings he received would have been given to him as a reward for those works, and consequently his believing could have had no part in his justification, and his faith would have been useless. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:5

But to him that worketh not - Which was the case with Abraham, for he was called when he was ungodly, i.e. an idolater; and, on his believing, was freely justified: and, as all men have sinned, none can be justified by works; and, therefore, justification, if it take place at all, must take place in behalf of the ungodly, forasmuch as all mankind are such. Now, as Abraham's state and mode in which he was justified, are the plan and rule according to which God purposes to save men; and as his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:6

Even as David also, etc. - David, in Psalm 32:1 , Psalm 32:2 , gives us also the true notion of this way of justification, i.e. by faith, without the merit of works, where he says: - read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:7

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven - That is, the man is truly happy whose iniquities αι ανομιαι , whose transgressions of the law are forgiven; for by these he was exposed to the most grievous punishment. Whose sins, αι αμαρτιαι , his innumerable deviations from the strict rule of truth and righteousness, are covered - entirely removed out of sight, and thrown into oblivion. See the meaning of the word sin in the note on Genesis 13:13 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:8

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin - That man is truly happy to whose charge God does not reckon sin; that is, they alone are happy who are redeemed from the curse of the law and the consequence of their ungodly life, by having their sins freely forgiven, through the mercy of God. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:9

Cometh this blessedness - upon the circumcision only - The word μονον , only, is very properly supplied by our translators, and indeed is found in some excellent MSS., and is here quite necessary to complete the sense. The apostle's question is very nervous. If this pardon, granted in this way, be essential to happiness - and David says it is so - then is it the privilege of the Jews exclusively? This cannot be; for, as it is by the mere mercy of God, through faith, the circumcision cannot... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:9

Group of Brands