romans-4:2,-romans-4:3

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 4:2

For if Abraham were justified by works ,.... That Abraham was not, and could not be justified by works, is clear from hence, that if this was his case, he hath whereof to glory ; which will be allowed him before men, on account of his pious life and conversation: but not before God ; who saw all the iniquity of his heart, and was privy to all his failings and infirmities: besides, glorying before God in a man's own works, is contrary to the scheme and method of God's grace; is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:2

For if Abraham were justified by works - The Jew proceeds: - I conclude, therefore, that Abraham was justified by works, or by his obedience to this law of circumcision; and, consequently, he has cause for glorying, καυχημα , to exult in something which he has done to entitle him to these blessings. Now, it is evident that he has this glorying, and consequently that he was justified by works. Apostle. But not before God - These seem to be the apostle's words, and contain the beginning... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:2

Verse 2 2.For if Abraham, etc. This is an incomplete argument, (131) which may be made in this form — “If Abraham was justified by works, he might justly glory: but he had nothing for which he could glory before God; then he was not justified by works.” Thus the clause but not before God, is the minor proposition; and to this must be added the conclusion which I have stated, though it is not expressed by Paul. He calls that glorying when we pretend to have anything of our own to which a reward... 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 4:2

For if Abraham was justified by works, be hath whereof to glory; but not before God. Many commentators take this verse to imply that, even if he was justified by works, he still had no ground of glorying before God, though he might have before men. But the drift of the whole argument being to show that he was not justified by works at all, this interpretation can hardly stand. "Not before God" must therefore have reference to the whole of the preceding sentence, in the sense, "It was... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:1-8

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 4:2

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