(6) В¶ Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. (7) Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. (8) And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. (9) So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
It w as a very blessed plan, the Apostle here adopted, for the better confirmation of the doctrine he had in view, of proving, that justification is only in Christ when he adverted to the case of Abraham. For what was Abraham, when the Lord first called him? Without all doubt, an idolater; for the Lord called him from Ur of the Chaldees, who were heathens. And, that the Patriarch was at once justified by the Lord, is evident, for the Holy Ghost hath left it upon record, for the perpetual comfort of the Church, in all generations? that the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the Gospel unto Abraham. It must, therefore, undeniably follow that Abraham, at the time of his justification, had not an atom of good works, to recommend him to God. Hence, in thy Patriarch's instance, as in all others of the Lord's people, it is all pure, free, unmerited grace.
And where was the merit of Abraham's belief in God? Was it not given him? And could that be the merit of man, which resulted wholly from the grace and gift of God? Moreover, it was not the faith of Abraham, which was imputed to him; but Christ's righteousness. God said: in thee, that is, in thy seed, meaning Christ, shall all nations be blessed. Abraham believed this, and it was accounted to him, (that is, Christ's righteousness, not Abraham's faith, was accounted to him), for righteousness. God hath said: fear not, Abraham! I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1. The Patriarch believed this. And, therefore, he beheld himself secured in the Lord's promise: Christ was his shield, and exceeding great reward. See Romans 4:1. and Commentary.
And the Reader will recollect, that all this took place, before that Abraham had wrought a single act of faith, or works. Circumcision had not at this time been even named. And when, in after days, the Lord was pleased to institute it in Abraham's family; the Holy Ghost expressly bears testimony, that it was only a sign, and seal, of the faith which he had, yet being uncircumcised. Romans 4:11. Reader! do not overlook, how sweetly, and satisfactorily, this paragraph closeth: All the faithful seed of Abraham, are blessed from the same cause with faithful Abraham.