‘Wherefore also it was reckoned to him for righteousness.’ And this faith was reckoned to him for righteousness. God saw him as right in His sight because he believed God (Genesis 15:6). This is the theme of the whole chapter up to this point (see especially Romans 4:3; Romans 4:9 which both cite Genesis 15:6). read more
Romans 4:11 b – Romans 4:17 a. Abraham’ s Relation to Mankind.— With Abraham’ s faith a great prospect opened for humanity. Romans 4:11 b , Romans 4:12 . According to Genesis 17 the patriarch “ received” the Covenant-sign “ to the end he might be father of all that believe while in uncircumcision” like himself, . . . “ and father,” to be sure, “ of circumcision— in the case of those who do not rely upon the fleshly token ( cf. Romans 2:26-Joel :), but who keep in the track of our father... read more
Romans 4:17 b – Romans 4:25 . Faith in God the Life-Giver. Romans 4:17 associates with the scope the quality of Abraham’ s faith. The patriarch’ s world-fatherhood was his “ in the sight of God whom he believed” : God acknowledged and made good that paternity—“ He who makes alive the dead and summons things non-existent as though in being!” Romans 4:18-Isaiah : . Abraham’ s trust in the power yoked to God’ s promise made his belief efficacious: “ against hope, he believed in hope” ;... read more
Before him whom he believed; i.e. in the sight or esteem of God. He was not the father of many nations by carnal generation in the sight of men, but by spiritual cognation in the sight of God. Or, as it may be read, like unto God, after his example; and then the meaning is, that God so honoured Abraham’s faith, that he made him a father, in some respects like himself. As God is a universal Father, not of one, but of all nations, so was Abraham. Again, as God is their spiritual Father, not by... read more
Here the apostle digresseth a little from his principal argument, and falls into a commendation of Abraham’s faith. Who against hope believed in hope: Abraham, when he had no natural or rational grounds of hope, either in respect of himself or Sarah his wife, did yet believe and hope he should have a son; and so be a root or stock, from whence many nations should spring: and this faith and hope of his was grounded upon the power and faithfulness of God. So shall thy seed be; so as the stars of... read more
He regarded not the impotency of his own body, which was as it were dead, because of his age, in respect of any desires or powers of generation. Abraham several years after married Keturah, by whom he had divers children; how then doth the apostle say his body was now dead, or unable for generation? Some say that the deadness of Abraham’s body was only in his own opinion. Augustine hath two answers: 1. That his body was not dead simply, but in respect of Sarah; he might be able to beget... read more
The promise of God; viz. in Genesis 15:5, and Genesis 17:16. Giving glory to God; as all do that rely upon the power and promise of God, setting to their seals that he is true. read more
He looked upon God as one that was perfectly able to do whatever he had promised, and as one that was most faithful, and sure never to fail in the performance; collecting nothing else from the difficulty and improbability of the matter, but that it was the fitter for an Almighty power to effect. read more
See Romans 2:3. By reason of his faith he was as sufficiently disposed and qualified for the obtaining of the promise, as if he had had all the righteousness required by the law. read more
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Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:20-21
‘Yet, looking to the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.’ He looked to God’s promise, not wavering through unbelief, and grew strong in faith, giving glory to God and confident that what He had promised He was able to perform. And all this because of his personal faith and trust in God. Thus all the way through his life faith is what is seen to be the... read more