Romans 4:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 4:1-8

Here the apostle proves that Abraham was justified not by works, but by faith. Those that of all men contended most vigorously for a share in righteousness by the privileges they enjoyed, and the works they performed, were the Jews, and therefore he appeals to the case of Abraham their father, and puts his own name to the relation, being a Hebrew of the Hebrews: Abraham our father. Now surely his prerogative must needs be as great as theirs who claim it as his seed according to the flesh. Now... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 4:1-8

4:1-8 What, then, shall we say that Abraham, our forefather from whom we take our human descent, found? If Abraham entered into a right relationship with God by means of work, he has some ground for boasting--but not in regard to God. For what does scripture say? "Abraham trusted in God and it was accounted to him for righteousness." The man who works does not receive his pay as a favour; he receives it as a debt due to him. But, as for the man who does not depend on work, but who trusts in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:7

Saying, blessed are they ,.... These words are cited from Psalm 32:1 , and contain the proof of the happiness of justified persons. In this citation the singular number is changed into the plural, to take in all sorts of men, Jews and Gentiles, and very agreeably to the sense of the original; for the word אשרי may be rendered "blessed are they", or, "O the blessednesses"; that is, of everyone of them, whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered : such whom God justifies... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:7

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven - That is, the man is truly happy whose iniquities αι ανομιαι , whose transgressions of the law are forgiven; for by these he was exposed to the most grievous punishment. Whose sins, αι αμαρτιαι , his innumerable deviations from the strict rule of truth and righteousness, are covered - entirely removed out of sight, and thrown into oblivion. See the meaning of the word sin in the note on Genesis 13:13 ; (note). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:1-8

A test case. Abraham was their father ( John 8:1-59 .)—this they were proud to acknowledge; but what was his relationship to God? I. ABRAHAM 'S RIGHTEOUSNESS . Righteousness must be either absolute or imputed; e.g. a servant in employ, on the one hand tried and true, on the other hand false, but penitent and received again. Which was Abraham's? 1. If of works, it was absolute, and therefore he was in a position of proud integrity before God. Was it so? The whole history... 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 4:6-8

Even as David also describeth the blessedness . We might render, "David tells of the blessing on the man," etc.) of the man unto whom God reckoneth ( λογίζεται , as before. Imputeth in the Authorized Version suggests the idea of a different word being used) righteousness apart from works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not reckon ( λογίσηται , as before, and so throughout the whole... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:6-8

A happy man. It is essential in argument to have common ground where the debate can be carried on. The apostle could count on the agreement of his Jewish readers with his reference to the Scriptures as the court of final appeal. And whilst some modern hearers reject the claims of the Bible, the majority receive it as an inspired authority, so that the preacher's business generally is to prove his case therefrom, and to press home its statements showing what is the appropriate action they... read more

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