Romans 4:1 NLT,NIV,ESV

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Romans 4:1-5

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? (2) For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. (3) For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (4) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. The Apostle... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Romans 4:1

The apostle proves what he had advanced in the last chapter, that the Jews cannot be justified by the works of the written law, nor by any works, unless joined with faith in the Messias, their Redeemer. This he shews by the example of Abraham, who is said to have been justified by believing; 2. and this was before he was circumcised; 3. and long before the law of Moses. Justification was then given without the works of that law. --- What advantage shall we say, then, that Abraham hath found,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:1-12

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

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Romans 4:1-99

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

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Romans 4:1-5

The Righteousness of God Demonstrated from History. The justification of Abraham: v. 1. What shall we say, then, that Abraham, our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? v. 2. For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory, but not before God. v. 3. For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. v. 4. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. v. 5. But to him that worketh... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Romans 4:1-25

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

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Romans 4:1-8

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

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:1-25

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

Robert Neighbour

Wells of Living Water Commentary - Romans 4:1-5

Abraham an Exemplar of Faith Romans 4:1-5 , Romans 4:13-25 INTRODUCTORY WORDS In our verses there are several things relative to the faith of Abraham that are worthy of note: 1. What did Abraham find according to the flesh? The query is one of a far vista, for it deeply concerns every one of us. (1) If Abraham were justified by the flesh he might have had whereof to glory, but not before God. He could have gloried before men, because men look at the outward appearances. Men delight to boast... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:1

‘What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh?’ Paul now relates what he has demonstrated, to the Scriptures concerning the life of Abraham. The unbelieving Jews (as opposed to the believing Jews who were Christians) saw Abraham’s life as the perfect example of the man who was acceptable to God because of his works, and this especially because of his willingness to offer up his son Isaac. In so far as they made any effort at all they thus strove to be... read more