Chapter 4:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Acts 1 Corinthians
Romans 4
Concise Complete
The doctrine of justification by faith is shown by the
case of Abraham. (1-12) He received the promise through the righteousness of
faith. (13-22) And we are justified in the same way of believing. (23-25)
Verses 1-12 To
meet the views of the Jews, the apostle first refers to the example of Abraham,
in whom the Jews gloried as their most renowned forefather. However exalted in
various respects, he had nothing to boast in the presence of God, being saved by
grace, through faith, even as others. Without noticing the years which passed
before his call, and the failures at times in his obedience, and even in his
faith, it was expressly stated in Scripture that "he believed God, and it was
counted to him for righteousness,"
genesis 15:6 . From this
example it is observed, that if any man could work the full measure required by
the law, the reward must be reckoned as a debt, which evidently was not the case
even of Abraham, seeing faith was reckoned to him for righteousness. When
believers are justified by faith, "their faith being counted for righteousness,"
their faith does not justify them as a part, small or great, of their
righteousness; but as the appointed means of uniting them to Him who has chosen
as the name whereby he shall be called, "the Lord our Righteousness." Pardoned
people are the only blessed people. It clearly appears from the Scripture, that
Abraham was justified several years before his circumcision. It is, therefore,
plain that this rite was not necessary in order to justification. It was a sign
of the original corruption of human nature. And it was such a sign as was also
an outward seal, appointed not only to confirm God's promises to him and to his
seed, and their obligation to be the Lord's, but likewise to assure him of his
being already a real partaker of the righteousness of faith. Thus Abraham was
the spiritual forefather of all believers, who walked after the example of his
obedient faith. The seal of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification, making us new
creatures, is the inward evidence of the righteousness of faith.
Verses 13-22 The
promise was made to Abraham long before the law. It points at Christ, and it
refers to the promise,
genesis 12:3 . In Thee
shall all families of the earth be blessed. The law worketh wrath, by showing
that every transgressor is exposed to the Divine displeasure. As God intended to
give men a title to the promised blessings, so he appointed it to be by faith,
that it might be wholly of grace, to make it sure to all who were of the like
precious faith with Abraham, whether Jews or Gentiles, in all ages. The
justification and salvation of sinners, the taking to himself the Gentiles who
had not been a people, were a gracious calling of things which are not, as
though they were; and this giving a being to things that were not, proves the
almighty power of God. The nature and power of Abraham's faith are shown. He
believed God's testimony, and looked for the performance of his promise, firmly
hoping when the case seemed hopeless. It is weakness of faith, that makes a man
lie poring on the difficulties in the way of a promise. Abraham took it not for
a point that would admit of argument or debate. Unbelief is at the bottom of all
our staggerings at God's promises. The strength of faith appeared in its victory
over fears. God honours faith; and great faith honours God. It was imputed to
him for righteousness. Faith is a grace that of all others gives glory to God.
Faith clearly is the instrument by which we receive the righteousness of God,
the redemption which is by Christ; and that which is the instrument whereby we
take or receive it, cannot be the thing itself, nor can it be the gift thereby
taken and received. Abraham's faith did not justify him by its own merit or
value, but as giving him a part in Christ.
Verses 23-25 The
history of Abraham, and of his justification, was recorded to teach men of
after-ages; those especially to whom the gospel was then made known. It is
plain, that we are not justified by the merit of our own works, but by faith in
Jesus Christ and his righteousness; which is the truth urged in this and the
foregoing Chapter, as the great spring and foundation of all comfort. Christ did
meritoriously work our justification and salvation by his death and passion, but
the power and perfection thereof, with respect to us, depend on his
resurrection. By his death he paid our debt, in his resurrection he received our
acquittance,
isaiah
53:8 . When he was discharged, we, in Him and together with Him, received
the discharge from the guilt and punishment of all our sins. This last verse is
an abridgement or summary of the whole gospel.
Chapter 4:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Acts 1 Corinthians
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
