1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
1 What G5101 shall we say G2046 then G3767 that Abraham G11 our G2257 father, G3962 as pertaining G2596 to the flesh, G4561 hath found? G2147
2 For G1063 if G1487 Abraham G11 were justified G1344 by G1537 works, G2041 he hath G2192 whereof to glory; G2745 but G235 not G3756 before G4314 God. G2316
3 For G1063 what G5101 saith G3004 the scripture? G1124 G1161 Abraham G11 believed G4100 God, G2316 and G2532 it was counted G3049 unto him G846 for G1519 righteousness. G1343
4 Now G1161 to him that worketh G2038 is G3049 the reward G3408 not G3756 reckoned G3049 of G2596 grace, G5485 but G235 of G2596 debt. G3783
5 But G1161 to him that worketh G2038 not, G3361 but G1161 believeth G4100 on G1909 him that justifieth G1344 the ungodly, G765 his G846 faith G4102 is counted G3049 for G1519 righteousness. G1343
6 Even as G2509 David G1138 also G2532 describeth G3004 the blessedness G3108 of the man, G444 unto whom G3739 God G2316 imputeth G3049 righteousness G1343 without G5565 works, G2041
7 Saying, Blessed G3107 are they whose G3739 iniquities G458 are forgiven, G863 and G2532 whose G3739 sins G266 are covered. G1943
8 Blessed G3107 is the man G435 to whom G3739 the Lord G2962 will G3049 not G3364 impute G3049 sin. G266
9 Cometh this G3778 blessedness G3108 then G3767 upon G1909 the circumcision G4061 only, or G2228 upon G1909 the uncircumcision G203 also? G2532 for G1063 we say G3004 that G3754 faith G4102 was reckoned G3049 to Abraham G11 for G1519 righteousness. G1343
10 How G4459 was it G3049 then G3767 reckoned? G3049 when he was G5607 in G1722 circumcision, G4061 or G2228 in G1722 uncircumcision? G203 Not G3756 in G1722 circumcision, G4061 but G235 in G1722 uncircumcision. G203
11 And G2532 he received G2983 the sign G4592 of circumcision, G4061 a seal G4973 of the righteousness G1343 of the faith G4102 which G3588 he had yet being G1722 uncircumcised: G203 that G1519 he G846 might be G1511 the father G3962 of all G3956 them that believe, G4100 though G1223 they be not circumcised; G203 that G1519 righteousness G1343 might be imputed G3049 unto them G846 also: G2532
12 And G2532 the father G3962 of circumcision G4061 to them who are not G3756 of G1537 the circumcision G4061 only, G3440 but G235 who also G2532 walk G4748 in the steps G2487 of that faith G4102 of our G2257 father G3962 Abraham, G11 which he had being G1722 yet uncircumcised. G203
13 For G1063 the promise, G1860 that he should be G1511 the G846 heir G2818 of the world, G2889 was not G3756 to Abraham, G11 or G2228 to his G846 seed, G4690 through G1223 the law, G3551 but G235 through G1223 the righteousness G1343 of faith. G4102
14 For G1063 if G1487 they which are of G1537 the law G3551 be heirs, G2818 faith G4102 is made void, G2758 and G2532 the promise G1860 made of none effect: G2673
15 Because G1063 the law G3551 worketh G2716 wrath: G3709 for G1063 where G3757 no G3756 law G3551 is, G2076 there is no G3761 transgression. G3847
16 Therefore G1223 G5124 it is of G1537 faith, G4102 that G2443 it might be by G2596 grace; G5485 to the end G1519 the promise G1860 might be G1511 sure G949 to all G3956 the seed; G4690 not G3756 to that only G3440 which is of G1537 the law, G3551 but G235 to that also G2532 which is of G1537 the faith G4102 of Abraham; G11 who G3739 is G2076 the father G3962 of us G2257 all, G3956
17 (As G2531 it is written, G1125 G3754 I have made G5087 thee G4571 a father G3962 of many G4183 nations,) G1484 before G2713 him whom G3739 he believed, G4100 even God, G2316 who quickeneth G2227 the dead, G3498 and G2532 calleth G2564 those things which be G5607 not G3361 as though G5613 they were. G5607
18 Who G3739 against G3844 hope G1680 believed G4100 in G1909 hope, G1680 that G1519 he G846 might become G1096 the father G3962 of many G4183 nations, G1484 according G2596 to that which was spoken, G2046 So G3779 shall G2071 thy G4675 seed G4690 be. G2071
19 And G2532 being not G3361 weak G770 in faith, G4102 he considered G2657 not G3756 his own G1438 body G4983 now G2235 dead, G3499 when he was G5225 about G4225 an hundred years old, G1541 neither yet G2532 the deadness G3500 of Sara's G4564 womb: G3388
20 G1161 He staggered G1252 not G3756 at G1519 the promise G1860 of God G2316 through unbelief; G570 but G235 was strong G1743 in faith, G4102 giving G1325 glory G1391 to God; G2316
21 And G2532 being fully persuaded G4135 that, G3754 what G3739 he had promised, G1861 he was G2076 able G1415 also G2532 to perform. G4160
22 And G2532 therefore G1352 it was imputed G3049 to him G846 for G1519 righteousness. G1343
23 Now G1161 it was G1125 not G3756 written G1125 for his sake G1223 G846 alone, G3440 that G3754 it was imputed G3049 to him; G846
24 But G235 for G1223 us G2248 also, G2532 to whom G3739 it shall be G3195 imputed, G3049 if we believe G4100 on G1909 him that raised up G1453 Jesus G2424 our G2257 Lord G2962 from G1537 the dead; G3498
25 Who G3739 was delivered G3860 for G1223 our G2257 offences, G3900 and G2532 was raised again G1453 for G1223 our G2257 justification. G1347
1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, hath found according to the flesh?
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God.
3 For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.
6 Even as David also pronounceth blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works,
7 `saying', Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom, the Lord will not reckon sin.
9 Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness.
10 How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision:
11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them;
12 and the father of circumcision to them who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which he had in uncircumcision.
13 For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect:
15 for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.
16 For this cause `it is' of faith, that `it may be' according to grace; to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all
17 (as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, `even' God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were.
18 Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb;
20 yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God,
21 and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 Wherefore also it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him;
24 but for our sake also, unto whom it shall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,
25 who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.
1 What, then, shall we say Abraham our father, to have found, according to flesh?
2 for if Abraham by works was declared righteous, he hath to boast -- but not before god;
3 for what doth the writing say? `And Abraham did believe God, and it was reckoned to him -- to righteousness;'
4 and to him who is working, the reward is not reckoned of grace, but of debt;
5 and to him who is not working, and is believing upon Him who is declaring righteous the impious, his faith is reckoned -- to righteousness:
6 even as David also doth speak of the happiness of the man to whom God doth reckon righteousness apart from works:
7 `Happy they whose lawless acts were forgiven, and whose sins were covered;
8 happy the man to whom the Lord may not reckon sin.'
9 `Is' this happiness, then, upon the circumcision, or also upon the uncircumcision -- for we say that the faith was reckoned to Abraham -- to righteousness?
10 how then was it reckoned? he being in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision;
11 and a sign he did receive of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith in the uncircumcision, for his being father of all those believing through uncircumcision, for the righteousness also being reckoned to them,
12 and father of circumcision to those not of circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of the faith, that `is' in the uncircumcision of our father Abraham.
13 For not through law `is' the promise to Abraham, or to his seed, of his being heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith;
14 for if they who are of law `are' heirs, the faith hath been made void, and the promise hath been made useless;
15 for the law doth work wrath; for where law is not, neither `is' transgression.
16 Because of this `it is' of faith, that `it may be' according to grace, for the promise being sure to all the seed, not to that which `is' of the law only, but also to that which `is' of the faith of Abraham,
17 who is father of us all (according as it hath been written -- `A father of many nations I have set thee,') before Him whom he did believe -- God, who is quickening the dead, and is calling the things that be not as being.
18 Who, against hope in hope did believe, for his becoming father of many nations according to that spoken: `So shall thy seed be;'
19 and not having been weak in the faith, he did not consider his own body, already become dead, (being about a hundred years old,) and the deadness of Sarah's womb,
20 and at the promise of God did not stagger in unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, having given glory to God,
21 and having been fully persuaded that what He hath promised He is able also to do:
22 wherefore also it was reckoned to him to righteousness.
23 And it was not written on his account alone, that it was reckoned to him,
24 but also on ours, to whom it is about to be reckoned -- to us believing on Him who did raise up Jesus our Lord out of the dead,
25 who was delivered up because of our offences, and was raised up because of our being declared righteous.
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father according to flesh has found?
2 For if Abraham has been justified on the principle of works, he has whereof to boast: but not before God;
3 for what does the scripture say? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.
4 Now to him that works the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but of debt:
5 but to him who does not work, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.
6 Even as David also declares the blessedness of the man to whom God reckons righteousness without works:
7 Blessed [they] whose lawlessnesses have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered:
8 blessed [the] man to whom [the] Lord shall not at all reckon sin.
9 [Does] this blessedness then [rest] on the circumcision, or also on the uncircumcision? For we say that faith has been reckoned to Abraham as righteousness.
10 How then has it been reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 And he received [the] sign of circumcision [as] seal of the righteousness of faith which [he had] being in uncircumcision, that he might be [the] father of all them that believe being in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned to them also;
12 and father of circumcision, not only to those who are of [the] circumcision, but to those also who walk in the steps of the faith, during uncircumcision, of our father Abraham.
13 For [it was] not by law that the promise was to Abraham, or to his seed, that he should be heir of [the] world, but by righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which [are] of law be heirs, faith is made vain, and the promise made of no effect.
15 For law works wrath; but where no law is neither [is there] transgression.
16 Therefore [it is] on the principle of faith, that [it might be] according to grace, in order to the promise being sure to all the seed, not to that only which [is] of the law, but to that also which [is] of Abraham's faith, who is father of us all,
17 (according as it is written, I have made thee father of many nations,) before the God whom he believed, who quickens the dead, and calls the things which be not as being;
18 who against hope believed in hope to his becoming father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be:
19 and not being weak in faith, he considered not his own body already become dead, being about a hundred years old, and the deadening of Sarah's womb,
20 and hesitated not at the promise of God through unbelief; but found strength in faith, giving glory to God;
21 and being fully persuaded that what he has promised he is able also to do;
22 wherefore also it was reckoned to him as righteousness.
23 Now it was not written on his account alone that it was reckoned to him,
24 but on ours also, to whom, believing on him who has raised from among [the] dead Jesus our Lord,
25 who has been delivered for our offences and has been raised for our justification, it will be reckoned.
1 What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh?
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not toward God.
3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
4 Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as debt.
5 But to him who doesn't work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works,
7 "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, Whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man whom the Lord will by no means charge with sin."
9 Is this blessing then pronounced on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How then was it counted? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be accounted to them.
12 The father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had in uncircumcision.
13 For the promise to Abraham and to his seed that he should be heir of the world wasn't through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect.
15 For the law works wrath, for where there is no law, neither is there disobedience.
16 For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.
17 As it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations." This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were.
18 Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, "So will your seed be."
19 Without being weakened in faith, he didn't consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb.
20 Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn't waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God,
21 and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 Therefore it also was "reckoned to him for righteousness."
23 Now it was not written that it was accounted to him for his sake alone,
24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead,
25 who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.
1 What, then, may we say that Abraham, our father after the flesh, has got?
2 For if Abraham got righteousness by works, he has reason for pride; but not before God.
3 But what does it say in the holy Writings? And Abraham had faith in God, and it was put to his account as righteousness.
4 Now, the reward is credited to him who does works, not as of grace but as a debt.
5 But to him who without working has faith in him who gives righteousness to the evil-doer, his faith is put to his account as righteousness.
6 As David says that there is a blessing on the man to whose account God puts righteousness without works, saying,
7 Happy are those who have forgiveness for their wrongdoing, and whose sins are covered.
8 Happy is the man against whom no sin is recorded by the Lord.
9 Is this blessing, then, for the circumcision only, or in the same way for those who have not circumcision? for we say that the faith of Abraham was put to his account as righteousness.
10 How, then, was it judged? when he had circumcision, or when he had it not? Not when he had it, but when he did not have it:
11 And he was given the sign of circumcision as a witness of the faith which he had before he underwent circumcision: so that he might be the father of all those who have faith, though they have not circumcision, and so that righteousness might be put to their account;
12 And the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who keep to the way of that faith which our father Abraham had before he underwent circumcision.
13 For God's word, that the earth would be his heritage, was given to Abraham, not through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they who are of the law are the people who get the heritage, then faith is made of no use, and the word of God has no power;
15 For the outcome of the law is wrath; but where there is no law it will not be broken.
16 For this reason it is of faith, so that it may be through grace; and so that the word of God may be certain to all the seed; not only to that which is of the law, but to that which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,
17 (As it is said in the holy Writings, I have made you a father of a number of nations) before him in whom he had faith, that is, God, who gives life to the dead, and to whom the things which are not are as if they were.
18 Who without reason for hope, in faith went on hoping, so that he became the father of a number of nations, as it had been said, So will your seed be.
19 And not being feeble in faith though his body seemed to him little better than dead (he being about a hundred years old) and Sarah was no longer able to have children:
20 Still, he did not give up faith in the undertaking of God, but was made strong by faith, giving glory to God,
21 And being certain that God was able to keep his word.
22 For which reason it was put to his account as righteousness.
23 Now, it was not because of him only that this was said,
24 But for us in addition, to whose account it will be put, if we have faith in him who made Jesus our Lord come back again from the dead,
25 Who was put to death for our evil-doing, and came to life again so that we might have righteousness.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Romans 4
Commentary on Romans 4 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 4
Ro 4:1-25. The Foregoing Doctrine of Justification by Faith Illustrated from the Old Testament.
First: Abraham was justified by faith.
1-3. What shall we say then that Abraham, our father as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?—that is, (as the order in the original shows), "hath found, as pertaining to ('according to,' or 'through') the flesh"; meaning, "by all his natural efforts or legal obedience."
2. For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God—"If works were the ground of Abraham's justification, he would have matter for boasting; but as it is perfectly certain that he hath none in the sight of God, it follows that Abraham could not have been justified by works." And to this agree the words of Scripture.
3. For what saith the, Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it—his faith.
was counted to him for righteousness—(Ge 15:6). Romish expositors and Arminian Protestants make this to mean that God accepted Abraham's act of believing as a substitute for complete obedience. But this is at variance with the whole spirit and letter of the apostle's teaching. Throughout this whole argument, faith is set in direct opposition to works, in the matter of justification—and even in Ro 4:4, 5. The meaning, therefore, cannot possibly be that the mere act of believing—which is as much a work as any other piece of commanded duty (Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23)—was counted to Abraham for all obedience. The meaning plainly is that Abraham believed in the promises which embraced Christ (Ge 12:3; 15:5, &c.), as we believe in Christ Himself; and in both cases, faith is merely the instrument that puts us in possession of the blessing gratuitously bestowed.
4, 5. Now to him that worketh—as a servant for wages.
is the reward not reckoned of grace—as a matter of favor.
but of debt—as a matter of right.
5. But to him that worketh not—who, despairing of acceptance with God by "working" for it the work of obedience, does not attempt it.
but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly—casts himself upon the mercy of Him that justifieth those who deserve only condemnation.
his faith, &c.—(See on Ro 4:3).
Second: David sings of the same justification.
6-8. David also describeth—"speaketh," "pronounceth."
the blessedness of the man unto whom the Lord imputeth righteousness without works—whom, though void of all good works, He, nevertheless, regards and treats as righteous.
7, 8. Saying, Blessed, &c.—(Ps 32:1, 2). David here sings in express terms only of "transgression forgiven, sin covered, iniquity not imputed"; but as the negative blessing necessarily includes the positive, the passage is strictly in point.
9-12. Cometh this blessedness then, &c.—that is, "Say not, All this is spoken of the circumcised, and is therefore no evidence of God's general way of justifying men; for Abraham's justification took place long before he was circumcised, and so could have no dependence upon that rite: nay, 'the sign of circumcision' was given to Abraham as 'a seal' (or token) of the (justifying) righteousness which he had before he was circumcised; in order that he might stand forth to every age as the parent believer—the model man of justification by faith—after whose type, as the first public example of it, all were to be moulded, whether Jew or Gentile, who should thereafter believe to life everlasting."
13-15. For the promise, &c.—This is merely an enlargement of the foregoing reasoning, applying to the law what had just been said of circumcision.
that he should be the heir of the world—or, that "all the families of the earth should be blessed in him."
was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law—in virtue of obedience to the law.
but through the righteousness of faith—in virtue of his simple faith in the divine promises.
14. For if they which are of the law be heirs—If the blessing is to be earned by obedience to the law.
faith is made void—the whole divine method is subverted.
15. Because the law worketh wrath—has nothing to give to those who break is but condemnation and vengeance.
for where there is no law, there is no transgression—It is just the law that makes transgression, in the case of those who break it; nor can the one exist without the other.
16, 17. Therefore, &c.—A general summary: "Thus justification is by faith, in order that its purely gracious character may be seen, and that all who follow in the steps of Abraham's faith—whether of his natural seed or no—may be assured of the like justification with the parent believer."
17. As it is written, &c.—(Ge 17:5). This is quoted to justify his calling Abraham the "father of us all," and is to be viewed as a parenthesis.
before—that is, "in the reckoning of."
him whom he believed—that is, "Thus Abraham, in the reckoning of Him whom he believed, is the father of us all, in order that all may be assured, that doing as he did, they shall be treated as he was."
even God, quickeneth the dead—The nature and greatness of that faith of Abraham which we are to copy is here strikingly described. What he was required to believe being above nature, his faith had to fasten upon God's power to surmount physical incapacity, and call into being what did not then exist. But God having made the promise, Abraham believed Him in spite of those obstacles. This is still further illustrated in what follows.
18-22. Who against hope—when no ground for hope appeared.
believed in hope—that is, cherished the believing expectation.
that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be—that is, Such "as the stars of heaven," Ge 15:5.
19. he considered not, &c.—paid no attention to those physical obstacles, both in himself and in Sarah, which might seem to render the fulfilment hopeless.
20. He staggered—hesitated
not … but was strong in faith, giving glory to God—as able to make good His own word in spite of all obstacles.
21. And being fully persuaded, &c.—that is, the glory which Abraham's faith gave to God consisted in this, that, firm in the persuasion of God's ability to fulfil his promise, no difficulties shook him.
22. And therefore it was imputed, &c.—"Let all then take notice that this was not because of anything meritorious in Abraham, but merely because he so believed."
23-25. Now, &c.—Here is the application of this whole argument about Abraham: These things were not recorded as mere historical facts, but as illustrations for all time of God's method of justification by faith.
24. to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe in him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead—in Him that hath done this, even as Abraham believed that God would raise up a seed in whom all nations should be blessed.
25. Who was delivered for—"on account of."
our offences—that is, in order to expiate them by His blood.
and raised again for—"on account of," that is, in order to.
our justification—As His resurrection was the divine assurance that He had "put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself," and the crowning of His whole work, our justification is fitly connected with that glorious act.
Note, (1) The doctrine of justification by works, as it generates self-exaltation, is contrary to the first principles of all true religion (Ro 4:2; and see on Ro 3:21-26, Note 1). (2) The way of a sinner's justification has been the same in all time, and the testimony of the Old Testament on this subject is one with that of the New (Ro 4:3, &c., and see on Ro 3:27-31, Note 1). (3) Faith and works, in the matter of justification, are opposite and irreconcilable, even as grace and debt (Ro 4:4, 5; and see on Ro 11:6). If God "justifies the ungodly," works cannot be, in any sense or to any degree, the ground of justification. For the same reason, the first requisite, in order to justification, must be (under the conviction that we are "ungodly") to despair of it by works; and the next, to "believe in Him that justifieth the ungodly"—that hath a justifying righteousness to bestow, and is ready to bestow it upon those who deserve none, and to embrace it accordingly. (4) The sacraments of the Church were never intended, and are not adapted, to confer grace, or the blessings of salvation, upon men. Their proper use is to set a divine seal upon a state already existing, and so, they presuppose, and do not create it (Ro 4:8-12). As circumcision merely "sealed" Abraham's already existing acceptance with God, so with the sacraments of the New Testament. (5) As Abraham is "the heir of the world," all nations being blessed in him, through his Seed Christ Jesus, and justified solely according to the pattern of his faith, so the transmission of the true religion and all the salvation which the world will ever experience shall yet be traced back with wonder, gratitude, and joy, to that morning dawn when "the God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran," Ac 7:2 (Ro 4:13). (6) Nothing gives more glory to God than simple faith in His word, especially when all things seem to render the fulfilment of it hopeless (Ro 4:18-21). (7) All the Scripture examples of faith were recorded on purpose to beget and encourage the like faith in every succeeding age (Ro 4:23, 24; and compare Ro 15:4). (8) Justification, in this argument, cannot be taken—as Romanists and other errorists insist—to mean a change upon men's character; for besides that this is to confound it with Sanctification, which has its appropriate place in this Epistle, the whole argument of the present chapter—and nearly all its more important clauses, expressions, and words—would in that case be unsuitable, and fitted only to mislead. Beyond all doubt it means exclusively a change upon men's state or relation to God; or, in scientific language, it is an objective, not a subjective change—a change from guilt and condemnation to acquittal and acceptance. And the best evidence that this is the key to the whole argument is, that it opens all the wards of the many-chambered lock with which the apostle has enriched us in this Epistle.