As David, &c. That is, David accounted a man happy in being justified by God's grace, and not by his own works, when he said: " Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven by the mercies of God, and whose sins are covered; that is, covered so as to be no more, even in the sight of God. (Witham) read more
1-12 To meet the views of the Jews, the apostle first refers to the example of Abraham, in whom the Jews gloried as their most renowned forefather. However exalted in various respects, he had nothing to boast in the presence of God, being saved by grace, through faith, even as others. Without noticing the years which passed before his call, and the failures at times in his obedience, and even in his faith, it was expressly stated in Scripture that "he believed God, and it was counted to him for... read more
Romans 4 THE FOURTH CHAPTER is practically a parenthesis. In verse 28 of chapter 4 the conclusion is reached that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. To exactly the same point are we brought back in Rom_5:1 , and then but not till then does the Apostle carry us on further into the blessings of the Gospel. In chapter 4 he develops at considerable length certain Old Testament scriptures which support his thesis, that before God a man is justified by faith alone. When, in... read more
A proof from the Psalms: v. 6. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, v. 7. saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. v. 8. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. The apostle here introduces a new witness to the truth of the comforting doctrine which he is teaching. Genesis 15:6 agrees exactly with Psalms 32:1-Exodus :. Just as also David expresses,... read more
Eighth Section.—Second proof of the righteousness of faith: from the Scriptures, and particularly from the history of the faith of Abraham, the ancestor of the Jews. Abraham is the father of faith to the Gentiles as well as the Jews, because he was justified in uncircumcision as a Gentile, and because he received circumcision as the seal of the righteousness of faith. David is also a witness of the righteousness of faith. (He is particularly so, since his justification was that of a great... read more
Blessedness Follows Faith Romans 4:1-8 In this chapter the doctrine of justification by faith is illustrated from the life of Abraham. It is evident that he was not justified because of his good works. Nothing is said of them, though he had crossed the desert in obedience to the divine command. No; he believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness, Romans 4:3 . The life of God in the soul of man is one and the same in every age. The measure of light may vary from the twilight... read more
The apostle now dealt with another difficulty that might arise in the mind of the Jew, showing that the method of grace, namely, imputing righteousness in response to faith, is in harmony with the whole history of Israel. As an illustration of this the apostle took the case of Abraham, father and founder of the nation, and showed how he was accepted and rewarded through faith, and not through works, both by his personal acceptance by God, and by his position as recipient of the promise of a... read more
The Way Of Justification Through Faith Illustrated In Abraham And Announced By David (4:1-8). Paul now demonstrates that Abraham’s acceptability with God was by faith, not works, something which is then further confirmed by David. This thus confirms that Abraham was not justified by his works. This went totally contrary to contemporary Jewish teaching which was that Abraham was justified by his works which were pleasing to God. And Paul stresses that it is on the basis of Scripture. read more
God Has Provided A Way By Which Men Can Be Accounted As In The Right Before God (3:21-4:25). Paul has spent a considerable time, from Romans 1:18 onwards, in demonstrating that all are under sin (weighed down under it and condemned by it). And he has shown that this includes the common herd of idolaters (Romans 1:18-27); the generality of people (Romans 1:28-32); those who for one reason or another see themselves as above the norm (philosophers, judges, Rabbis, Jews - Romans 2:1-16); and... read more
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Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Romans 4:6-8
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, (7) Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. (8) Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. The Apostle in those verses, proceeds to another similar case in point, yet further to illustrate this very important doctrine He brings forward the prophet David, as instructing the Church in one of his Psalms, on the same grounds, of... read more