Romans 4:1-11 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Romans 4:1-11 a. The Example of Abraham.

Romans 4:1. The Jewish objector once more: What about Abraham then? (mg.); if the circumcised Israelite is justified on no more favourable terms than the Gentile outsider, how was it with our great forefather? Abraham's case was the instantia probans for Jewish theology.

Romans 4:2 f. If Abraham had been justified by works, Paul replies, he has ground of glorying; but however great his glory amongst men, he has none Godwards, Nay, Scripture says, But Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness (cf. Galatians 3:6 f.).

Romans 4:4 f. Arguing on this text in the sense of Romans 3:27 f., Paul contrasts the worker claiming his pay of debt with the believer to whom, ungodly as he doubtless had been, righteousness is credited on terms of faith, by way of grace.

Romans 4:6-8. The patriarch's experience resembled that stated in Psalms 32, the blessedness of the man to whom the Lord will no longer impute sin.

Romans 4:9-11 a. Now, the sentence of justification was pronounced on Abraham before his circumcision. This ceremony was not the basis of a righteousness acquired by works, but the seal set upon the righteousness conferred through faith. Faith antedates Circumcision, as it underlies the Law (cf. Galatians 3:17). Circumcision was properly a sacrament of faith.

Related Commentaries of Romans 4:1

Romans 4:1-11

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: