describeth = says of. blessedness . Greek. makarismos. Here, Romans 4:9 . Galatians 1:4 , Galatians 1:15 . man . App-123 . imputeth . Same as "count", Romans 4:3 . without = apart from. See Romans 3:21 . read more
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.Worketh not ... is a reference to one who rests from any thought that he could merit salvation by keeping the law of Moses. It is not a reference to one who will not obey the gospel of Christ.Believeth on him that justifieth ... is a reference to obedient faith, the kind exemplified by Abraham and discussed at length under Romans 4:3; the fact of obedience not being mentioned... read more
Even as David also pronounce the blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin.Having already shown that Abraham was justified by an obedient faith in God, rather than by perfect fulfillment of a law not even then in existence, Paul next introduced David's remarkable pronouncement, with apparent emphasis on the fact that... read more
Romans 4:5. The ungodly— Abraham is the subject of the Apostle's discourse; and he plainly hints, though he did not choose to speak out, that even Abraham before his conversion was chargeable with not paying due reverence and worship to God, as the word 'Ασεβης, which we render ungodly, properly imports. See on chap. Romans 1:18. read more
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
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
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
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
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
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Romans 4:5
believeth . App-150 . ungodly = impious. Greek. asebes. Here, Romans 5:6 . 1Ti 1:9 . 1 Peter 4:18 . 2 Peter 2:5 ; 2 Peter 3:7 . Jude 1:15 . Compare App-128 . faith . App-150 . read more