Romans 4:13-21 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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 4:17-22

Having observed when Abraham was justified by faith, and why, for the honour of Abraham and for example to us who call him father, the apostle here describes and commends the faith of Abraham, where observe, I. Whom he believed: God who quickeneth. It is God himself that faith fastens upon: other foundation can no man lay. Now observe what in God Abraham's faith had an eye to?to that, certainly, which would be most likely to confirm his faith concerning the things promised:?1. God who... 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

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 4:18-25

4:18-25 In hope Abraham believed beyond hope that he would become the father of many nations, as the saying had it, "So will be your seed.?" He did not weaken in his faith, although he was well aware that by this time his body had lost its vitality (for he was a hundred years old), and that the womb of Sarah was without life. He did not in unfaith waver at the promise of God, but he was revitalized by his faith, and he gave glory to God, and he was firmly convinced that he who had made the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:13

For the promise that he should be heir of the world ,.... This promise is thought by some to refer to that of his being "the father of many nations", Genesis 17:4 ; by whom the Gentiles are particularly meant, who are sometimes called "the world", and "the whole world", or the elect of God, the believing part of the world; whether among Jews or Gentiles, who sometimes go by the name of "the world" in Scripture: but to this it may be objected, that the promise here spoken of is made to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:14

For if they which are of the law be heirs ,.... That is, if the Jews who are under the law, and are seeking for righteousness and life by the works of it, should, on the account of their obedience to it, be heirs of the grace of life and of glory, faith is made void ; for if the right to the inheritance is by the works of the law, there is no room for faith; that can be of no use or service; and the promise made of none effect : if salvation is by works, it is to no purpose for God... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:16

Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace ,.... Meaning either the promise of being heir of the world, or the inheritance itself, or adoption which gives heirship, or remission of Sin, or the blessing of justification, either and all of these are of faith; not as the cause or condition of them, but as the means of God's fixing and appointing to be the recipient of all and each of them: which is done, "that it might be by grace"; appear to be of the free grace and favour of God, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:17

As it is written I have made thee a father of many nations ,.... The passage referred to, is in Genesis 17:4 ; which proves him to be a father not of the Jews only, since they cannot be called "many nations", but of the Gentiles also; and which must be understood in a spiritual sense, for Abraham was the father of them, before him whom he believed, even God ; that is, he was so, either in the sight of God, who sees not as man sees; in his account, he was the father of many nations,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:18

Who against hope believed in hope ,.... Abraham believed the promise of God, that he might become the father of many nations , being assisted by a supernatural aid: "in hope"; of the fulfilment of it by the grace and power of God: "against hope": against all visible, rational grounds of hope; Sarah's womb and his own body being dead, but inasmuch as God had said it, he believed: according to that which is spoken, so shall thy seed be ; his faith rested upon the word of God, which... read more

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 4:17-22

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

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 4:18-25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:14

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:18

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