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Romans

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Romans 4

1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, hath found according to the flesh?

2For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God.

3For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.

1What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

2For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

3For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Commentary · verses 1-3

Doctrine: Abraham was not justified by works. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as Righteousness. Abraham's faith was the cause of his works. The conclusion of the previous chapter applied to the father of the Jews, so it would apply to all Jews.

4Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt.

4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Commentary · verse 4

Doctrine: The recompense for our works is Reward through Justice, because we are owed. This means people who have righteousness as an effect of their works do not have the cause (grace through faith) of Salvation.

We will use a little "r" to signify righteousness from ourselves that results in Reward. We will use a capital "R" to signify Righteousness from God through grace that results in Salvation.

5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.

5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Commentary · verse 5

Doctrine: People who have faith in God as a cause will have Righteousness, which leads to Salvation.

6Even as David also pronounceth blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works, 7saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered.

8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin.

6Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Commentary · verses 6-8

Paul referenced Psalm 32:1-2 to prove our Dispensation of Grace was prophesied by David.

9Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness.

9Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

Commentary · verse 9

Doctrine: Abraham was justified before the Law was given. Notice, faith was counted as Righteousness to Abraham, not circumcision.

10How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision: 11and 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; 12and 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.

10How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11And 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:

12And 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.

Commentary · verses 10-12

Doctrine: Not only was Abraham the father of the Jews but also the father of all who walk in faith, which further broke down the division between the Jews and the Gentiles. Abraham was justified twenty-four years before his circumcision.

13For 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.

13For 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.

Commentary · verse 13

Doctrine: Salvation comes by faith, not by the Law.

14For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect: 15for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.

16For 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

14For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

15Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

16Therefore 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,

Commentary · verses 14-16

Doctrine: Grace via the Holy Spirit can only work by faith. "Grace" is "the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life." "Faith" is "a belief in something you cannot see, either because it is intangible or it is yet to happen." The divine influence is definitely something you cannot see and therefore takes faith to obey. Those that obeyed the Law were not justified by the Law, they were justified by their faith in allowing the Law to be the divine influence upon their heart.

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.

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.

Commentary · verse 17

Doctrine: God has faith. God calls "the things that are not, as though they were." This meant God believes in things that have not happened yet and in things He cannot see. Paul referenced Genesis 17:4-5.

Doctrines on this passage

18Who 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.

19And 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; 20yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God,

18Who 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.

19And 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 Sara’s womb:

20He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Commentary · verses 18-20

Paul showed examples proving Abraham had great faith.

21and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22Wherefore also it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.

21And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Commentary · verses 21-22

Abraham's actions proved his faith and that was why it was counted as Righteousness. His actions were not the cause…faith was the cause, the actions/works were the proof/effect.

23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him;

23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

Commentary · verse 23

Genesis 15:6 was written for all, not just Abraham.

24but for our sake also, unto whom it shall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.

24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Commentary · verses 24-25

Doctrine: This was written for all of our benefit, that if we choose to believe in God we will be justified through Christ.

Commentary · verse 25

Theme of Chapter 4: Paul built on the foundation of the previous chapter which explained the HOW/WHY of Salvation being available to everyone. Paul showed the father of the Jews (Abraham) was justified by faith before he was under the Law, which made Abraham the father of all those that choose to believe: both Jews and Gentiles. Salvation is by grace through faith to all that believe.

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