Romans 4:15 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 4:9-17

St. Paul observes in this paragraph when and why Abraham was thus justified; for he has several things to remark upon that. It was before he was circumcised, and before the giving of the law; and there was a reason for both. I. It was before he was circumcised, Rom. 4:10. His faith was counted to him for righteousness while he was in uncircumcision. It was imputed, Gen. 15:6; and he was not circumcised till Gen. 17:1-27. Abraham is expressly said to be justified by faith fourteen years, some... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 4:13-17

4:13-17 It was not through law that there came to Abraham or to his seed the promise that he would inherit the earth, but it came through that right relationship with God which has its origin in faith. If they who are vassals of the law are heirs, then faith is drained of its meaning, and the promise is rendered inoperative; for the law produces wrath, but where law does not exist, neither can transgression exist. So, then, the whole process depends on faith, in order that it may be a matter... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:15

Because the law worketh wrath ,.... Not the wrath of man, though that is sometimes stirred up through the prohibitions of the law, to which the carnal mind of man is enmity, but the wrath of God the law is so far from justifying sinners, that it curses and condemns them; and when it comes into the heart and is let into the conscience of a sinner, it fills with terrible apprehensions of the wrath of God, and a fearful looking for of his judgment and fiery indignation: for where no law is,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:15

Because the law worketh wrath - For law νομος , any law, or rule of duty. No law makes provision for the exercise of mercy, for it worketh wrath, οργην , punishment, for the disobedient. Law necessarily subjects the transgressor to punishment; for where no law is - where no rule of duty is enacted and acknowledged, there is no transgression; and where there is no transgression there can be no punishment, for there is no law to enforce it. But the Jews have a law, which they have broken;... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:15

Verse 15 15.For the law causeth wrath, etc. This is a confirmation of the last verse, derived from the contrary effect of the law; for as the law generates nothing but vengeance, it cannot bring grace. It can indeed show to the good and the perfect the way of life: but as it prescribes to the sinful and corrupt what they ought to do, and supplies them with no power for doing, it exhibits them as guilty before the tribunal of God. For such is the viciousness of our nature, that the more we are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:1-25

(5) Abraham himself shown to have been justified by faith, and not by works, believers being his true heirs. The main points of the argument may be summarized thus: When Abraham obtained a blessing to himself and to his seed for ever, it was by faith, and not by works, that he is declared to have been justified so as to obtain it. Thus the promise to his seed, as well as to himself, rested on the principle of justification by faith only. The Law, of which the principle was essentially... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:1-25

Abraham's faith. We have already seen how the apostle has prepared the way for the great doctrine of justification by faith. He showed in the first two chapters that man has no righteousness of his own, that he could not justify himself, but, on the contrary, that both Jew and Gentile are all under sin. "There is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Now, in this fourth chapter, he shows that this great fact—the necessity for justification by faith—has... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:1-25

Abraham justified by faith alone. We have just seen in last chapter the utility of Judaism, the universal depravity of the race, the new channel for Divine righteousness which had consequently to be found, and the confirmation of law which is secured by faith. The apostle in the present chapter illustrates his argument from the history of Abraham. He was reckoned by the Jews as "father of the faithful;" his case is, therefore, a crucial one. Accordingly, Paul begins by asking, "What shall... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:9-22

All things are of faith. The position is now established that righteousness is through faith. But, they might say, through the faith of a circumcised man; and the promise of the inheritance was through the Law; and surely the posterity of Abraham came according to the flesh. He answers—Righteousness, heritage, posterity, by faith alone. I. RIGHTEOUSNESS . 1. The righteousness of faith without circumcision. In Gem 15. we have the record of Abraham's justification; the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:13-15

For not through law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be the heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith, For if they which are of law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect. For the Law worketh wrath: for where no law is, neither is there transgression . The point of the argument is that the principle of law is essentially different from that on which Abraham was justified, and which is hence to be understood in the fulfilment... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 4:9-17

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 4:13-17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:9-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:13-15

Group of Brands