Romans 4:1-2 WEB

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 4:1

This chapter is a development of the thought expressed in Romans 4:28-29 near the close of Romans 3, that is, the vindication of God's righteousness in calling Jews and Gentiles in one body, that of Christ, with no distinctions between them. Paul followed throughout this chapter the terminology introduced in those verses, calling the Jews "the circumcision" and the Gentiles "the uncircumcision." That such is indeed the subject of this chapter appears in the use of those two words a dozen times... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 4:2

For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God.By works ... is an unfortunate rendition, because the expression seems to take sides in an old controversy, appearing to be antithetical to salvation "by faith only" as advocated by the commentators; and the implicit denial of it here is construed as support of their theory. Nothing like that is here. "Works" simply means the law of Moses, "works of law," the alternate reading (English Revised Version (1885)... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:1

Romans 4:1. What shall we then say— In the foregoing chapter the Apostle has proved, that neitherJews nor Gentiles have a right to the blessings of God's peculiar kingdom, otherwise than by grace, which is free to the one, as well as the other. In this chapter he advances to a new argument, admirably adapted to convince the Jew; to shew the believingGentile in a clear light the high value of the mercies freelybestowed upon him in the Gospel, and at the same time to display the wondrous plans of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:2

Romans 4:2. But not before God— This appears to be the Apostle's answer to the Jew's objection (Romans 4:1-2.), and it implies that Abraham might have some sort of glorying, possibly such as the Apostle himself had, 1Co 9:15. 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 10:18; 2 Corinthians 11:16-30. The Apostle had glorying in his superior vouchsafements and labour, but only before men, and with respect to them; not before God, in regard to whom his language was, Not I, but the grace... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:1

1-3. What shall we say then that Abraham, our father as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?—that is, (as the order in the original shows), "hath found, as pertaining to ('according to,' or 'through') the flesh"; meaning, "by all his natural efforts or legal obedience." read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:2

2. For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God—"If works were the ground of Abraham's justification, he would have matter for boasting; but as it is perfectly certain that he hath none in the sight of God, it follows that Abraham could not have been justified by works." And to this agree the words of Scripture. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:1

He started with a rhetorical question that he used often in Romans (cf. Romans 6:1; Romans 7:7; Romans 8:31; Romans 9:14; Romans 9:30): "What then shall we say?" By referring to Abraham as "our forefather after the flesh" (Romans 4:1) Paul revealed that he was aiming these comments at his Jewish readers primarily. Abraham’s case is significant for Gentiles as well, however, because in another sense, as the father of the faithful, he is the father of "us all" (Romans 4:16). "All" refers to all... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:1-5

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:2

This verse applies Paul’s earlier statement about boasting (Romans 3:27) to Abraham’s case for the sake of contrast. Abraham had no ground for boasting before God because he received justification by faith, not by works. 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

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 4:1

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 4:2

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:1

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:2

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:1

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:2

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:1

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:1-5

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:2

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

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