Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 4:4-5
Romans 4:4-5. Now to him that worketh All that the law requires; is the reward not reckoned of grace Or mere favour; but of debt It is due to his merit. Not that God can properly and strictly be a debtor to any creature, in respect of communicative justice; but if man had continued in that state of holiness wherein he was made, that he should have been esteemed righteous, and have continued in God’s favour and lived, would have been according to the rules of distributive justice. But... read more
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:4
Now to him that worketh ... - This passage is not to be understood as affirming that any actually have worked out their salvation by conformity to the Law so as to be saved by their own merits; but it expresses a general truth in regard to works. On that plan, if a man were justified by his works, it would be a matter due to him. It is a general principle in regard to contracts and obligations, that where a man fulfils them he is entitled to the reward as what is due to him, and which he can... read more