The main object of this chapter is to show that the doctrine of justification by faith, which the apostle was defending, was found in the Old Testament. The argument is to be regarded as addressed particularly to a Jew, to show him that no new doctrine was advanced. The argument is derived, first, f... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT SHALL WE SAY THEN? - See Romans 3:1. This is rather the objection of a Jew. “How does your doctrine of justification by faith agree with what the Scriptures say of Abraham? Was the Law set aside in his case? Did he derive no advantage in justification from the rite of circumcision, and from the... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF ABRAHAM ... - This is the answer of the apostle. If Abraham was justified on the ground of his own merits, he would have reason to boast, or to claim praise. He might regard himself as the author of it, and take the praise to himself; see Romans 4:4. The inquiry, therefore, was, whether in th... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURE? - The inspired account of Abraham’s justification. This account was final, and was to settle the question. This account is found in Genesis 15:6. ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD - In the Hebrew, “Abraham believed Yahweh.” The sense is substantially the same, as the argument turns... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW TO HIM THAT WORKETH ... - This passage is not to be understood as affirming that any actually have worked out their salvation by conformity to the Law so as to be saved by their own merits; but it expresses a general truth in regard to works. On that plan, if a man were justified by his works, i... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT TO HIM THAT WORKETH NOT - Who does not rely on his conformity to the Law for his justification; who does not depend on his works; who seeks to be justified in some other way. The reference here is to the Christian plan of justification. BUT BELIEVETH - Note, Romans 3:26. ON HIM - On God. Thus,... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN AS DAVID - The apostle having adduced the example of Abraham to show that the doctrine which he was defending was not new, and contrary to the Old Testament, proceeds to adduce the case of David also; and to show that he understood the same doctrine of justification without works. DESCRIBETH -... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED - Happy are they: they are highly favored; see the note at Matthew 5:3. WHOSE SINS ARE COVERED - Are concealed; or hidden from the view. On which God will no more look, and which he will no more remember. “By these words,” says Calvin (in loco), “we are taught that justification with Paul i... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL NOT IMPUTE SIN - On whom the Lord will not charge his sins; or who shall not be reckoned or regarded as guilty. This shows clearly what the apostle meant by imputing faith without works. It is to pardon sin, and to treat with favor; not to reckon or charge a man’s sin to him; but to treat him,... [ Continue Reading ]
COMETH ... - The apostle has now prepared the way for an examination of the inquiry whether this came in consequence of obedience to the Law? or whether it was without obedience to the Law? Having shown that Abraham was justified by faith in accordance with the doctrine which he was defending, the o... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW - In what circumstances, or time. WHEN HE WAS IN CIRCUMCISION ... - Before or after he was circumcised? This was the very point of the inquiry. For if he was justified by faith after he was circumcised, the Jew might pretend that it was in virtue of his circumcision; that even his faith was acc... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE RECEIVED THE SIGN ... - A sign is that by which any thing is shown, or represented. And circumcision thus showed that there was a covenant between Abraham and God; Genesis 17:1. It became the public mark or token of the relation which he sustained to God. A SEAL - See the note at John 3:33. A... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE FATHER OF CIRCUMCISION - The father, that is, the ancestor, exemplar, or model of those who are circumcised, and who possess the same faith that he did. Not only the father of all believers Romans 4:11, but in a special sense the father of the Jewish people. In this, the apostle intimates th... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE PROMISE ... - To show that the faith of Abraham, on which his justification depended, was not by the Law, the apostle proceeds to show that the promise concerning which his faith was so remarkably evinced was before the Law was given. If this was so, then it was an additional important consi... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF THEY WHICH ARE OF THE LAW - Who seek for justification and acceptance by the Law. FAITH IS MADE VOID - Faith would have no place in the scheme; and consequently the strong commendations bestowed on the faith of Abraham, would be bestowed without any just cause. If people are justified by the... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THE LAW - All law. It is the tendency of law. WORKETH WRATH - Produces or causes wrath. While man is fallen, and a sinner, its tendency, so far from justifying him, and producing peace, is just the reverse. It condemns, denounces wrath, and produces suffering. The word “wrath” here is to be... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE - In view of the course of reasoning which has been pursued. We have come to this conclusion. IT IS OF FAITH - Justification is by faith; or the plan which God has devised of saving people is by faith, Romans 3:26. THAT IT MIGHT BE BY GRACE - As a matter of mere undeserved mercy. If peop... [ Continue Reading ]
AS IT IS WRITTEN - Genesis 17:5. I HAVE MADE THEE - The word used here in the Hebrew Genesis 17:5 means literally, to give, to grant; and also, to set, or constitute. This is also the meaning of the Greek word used both by the Septuagint and the apostle. The quotation is taken literally from the Se... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO AGAINST HOPE - Who against all apparent or usual ground of hope. He refers here to the prospect of a posterity; see Romans 4:19. BELIEVED IN HOPE - Believed in what was promised to excite his hope. Hope here is put for the object of his hope - what was promised. ACCORDING TO WHAT WAS SPOKEN -... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BEING NOT WEAK IN FAITH - That is, having strong faith. HE CONSIDERED NOT - He did not regard the fact that his body was now dead, as any obstacle to the fulfillment of the promise. He did not suffer that fact to influence him, or to produce any doubt about the fulfillment. Faith looks to the s... [ Continue Reading ]
HE STAGGERED NOT - He was not moved, or agitated; he steadily and firmly believed the promise. GIVING GLORY TO GOD - Giving honor to God by the firmness with which he believed his promises. His conduct was Such as to honor God; that is, to show Abraham’s conviction that he was worthy of implicit co... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BEING FULLY PERSUADED - Thoroughly or entirely convinced; Luke 1:1; Romans 14:5; 2 Timothy 4:5, 2 Timothy 4:17. HE WAS ABLE - Compare Genesis 18:14. This was not the only time in which Abraham evinced this confidence. His faith was equally implicit and strong when he was commanded to sacrifice... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEREFORE - His faith was so implicit, and so unwavering, that it was a demonstration that he was the firm friend of God. He was tried, and he had such confidence in God that he showed that he was supremely attached to him, and would obey and serve him. This was reckoned as a full proof of frien... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW IT WAS NOT WRITTEN - The record of this extraordinary faith was not made on his account only; but it was made to show the way in which men may be regarded and treated as righteous by God. If Abraham was so regarded and treated, then, on the same principle, all others may be. God has but one mode... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT FOR US ALSO - For our use; (compare Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11), that we might have an example of the way in which people may be accepted of God. It is recorded for our encouragement and imitation, to show that we may in a similar manner be accepted and saved. IF WE BELIEVE ON HIM ... - Ab... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO WAS DELIVERED - To death; compare the notes at Acts 2:23. FOR OUR OFFENCES - On account of our crimes. He was delivered up to death in order to make expiation for our sins. AND WAS RAISED AGAIN - From the dead. FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION - On account of our justification. In order that we may be ju... [ Continue Reading ]