Romans 4:1 NLT,NIV,ESV

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:1-8

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

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:1-25

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

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:1-11

Romans 4:1-1 Kings : a . The Example of Abraham. Romans 4:1 . The Jewish objector once more: “ What about Abraham then?” ( mg.) ; if the circumcised Israelite is justified on no more favourable terms than the Gentile outsider, how was it with “ our” great “ forefather” ? Abraham’ s case was the instantia probans for Jewish theology. Romans 4:2 f. “ If Abraham had been justified by works,” Paul replies, “ he has ground of glorying; but” however great his glory amongst men, “ he has none... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:1

The apostle proceeds to prove his main conclusion, Romans 3:28, which is, that a sinner is justified by faith without works, from the example of Abraham. He was a man that had faith and works both, yet he was justified by faith, and not by works; and who doubts but the children are justified after the same manner that their father was: there is but one way of justification; this is the connexion. As pertaining to the flesh: these words may either be referred to father; and then they import no... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Romans 4:1-17

CRITICAL NOTESRomans 4:1.—Alford, following Meyer, says κατὰ σάρκα is in contrast to κατὰ πνεῦμα, and refers to that part of our being from which spring works in contrast with that which is the exercise of faith. κατὰ σάρκα in respect to efforts by one’s own natural powers, or efforts made in one’s own strength.Romans 4:2. ἐξ ἔργων.—Talmud maintains that Abraham was justified by works.Romans 4:3.—Jewish Rabbis viewed Abraham’s faith as so much merit. “As the reward of his faith our father... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - Romans 4:1-25

Romans 3:31 ; Romans 4:0 A Crucial Case. I. It was by his faith Abraham was justified, not by his works of obedience. Paul's proof of this is very simple. He finds a remarkable proof-text ready to his hand in Genesis 15:16 . On God's side there was simply a word announcing the promises of His grace; on the man's side simply a devout and childlike reliance upon that word. God asked no more; and the man had no more to give. His mere trust in God the Promiser was held to be adequate as a ground... read more

Charles Simeon

Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae - Romans 4:1-8

DISCOURSE: 1836JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ALONERomans 4:1-8. What shall we then say that Abraham, our father as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Romans 4:1-25

Chapter 4Now what shall we say concerning Abraham the father, as pertaining to the flesh, what did he find? For if Abraham were justified by his works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God ( Romans 4:1-2 ).If it was Abraham's works that brought him justification, then Abraham could boast in his works. He could say, "I left my home, I left my family on the other side of the Euphrates River, and I journeyed not even knowing where I was going, just waiting for God to show me. And I was... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Romans 4:1-25

Romans 4:1 . What shall we say then that Abraham, our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? How was he a sinner, an idolater, justified? Was it by the flesh, as indicated by the word father? Was it by works in submitting to circumcision, on which ye jews lay the major emphasis? If so, he has the glory of boasting over the disobedient, but not before God, in whose eyes the brightest acts of human obedience are but defective duties. When God has promised, even believing can... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Romans 4:1-25

Romans 4:1-25What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? Lessons from the case of AbrahamI. However much the most perfect of the species may have to glory of in the eye of his fellows, he has nothing to glory of before God. The apostle affirms this of Abraham, whose virtues had canonised him in the hearts of all his descendants, and who still stands forth as the embodiment of all the virtues of the older dispensation. But of his piety we have no... read more

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:1-8

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:1-25

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:1-11

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:1

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Romans 4:1-17

Sermon Bible Commentary - Romans 4:1-25

Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae - Romans 4:1-8

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Romans 4:1-25

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Romans 4:1-25

The Biblical Illustrator - Romans 4:1-25

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