As if the apostle had said, "What shall we say? Shall anyone affirm, that Abraham our father found or obtained righteousness by, or according to the flesh; that is, by being circumcised in the flesh, or by any works of righteousness which he had done? surely no: For if Abraham were justified by circ... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The account which the scripture gives of Abraham's justification; it was by faith alone; HE BELIEVED GOD AND WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS: That is, he firmly believed the promise of God, that he would give him. son, in whom all the families of the earth should be blessed.... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, That to the example of Abraham, the apostle subjoins the testimony of David, Psalms 32. who describes the blessedness of that man to whom God imputeth righteousness, to wit, the righteousness of the Mediator, without any works brought before God to be justified by, saying, BLESSED IS T... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the apostle moves the question, namely, Whether the forementioned blessedness of pardon of sin, and justification by faith, belongs to the circumcised Jews only, or to the uncircumcised Gentiles also? which question carrieth with it the force of. strong affirmation, that seeing faith was impute... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the apostle declares the reason why, and the end for which Abraham was circumcised, seeing he was justified by faith in the promised Messiah, long before circumcision, AS. SIGN AND SEAL OF THE COVENANT made with him, and to his seed, Genesis 17. and as an obligation that the righteousness of fa... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, the great promise which God made to Abraham, and his seed, that they should possess that rich and pleasant part of the world, the land of Canaan, under which also heaven itself was typically promised and comprehended, was not made upon condition of their performing perfect obedience to the... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, If they which seem to be justified by the works of the law be heirs of this promised inheritance; then FAITH, that is, the way of justification by faith, prescribed by God, is to no purpose, for to what end should we by faith seek righteousness in another, if by our legal obedience we can f... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the apostle suggests another reason, why no justification can be executed by the law, because it condemns, rather than justifies. THE LAW WORKETH WRATH: that is, it discovers the wrath of God due to our transgression, and then pronounces condemnation upon the transgressor; FOR WERE THERE NO LAW... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle here assigns. double cause, why the wisdom of God has appointed justification and salvation to be obtained in the way of faith: namely, 1. That it might be of free and undeserved grace and favour; for to be justified by faith, and by grace, are all one with the apostle. And, 2. THAT TH... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle, in this and the following verses, enters upon an high commendation of Abraham's faith, magnifying and extolling the same, for and upon account of sundry excellencies which are found in it. And here, 1. He takes notice how Abraham's faith was strongly acted and exercised on the Almighty... [ Continue Reading ]
Here St. Paul farther expatiates in the commendation of Abraham's faith, telling us, THAT AGAINST HOPE HE BELIEVED IN HOPE; that is he had. strong hope,. firm faith and trust in the promise and power of God, against all natural grounds of hope; namely, that he should certainly have. son, and. seed l... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle having, in the former part of this chapter, declared the manner of our justification, from an instance of Abraham, which having at large pursued, lest we should think that was Abraham's personal privilege, and did not concern us, he applies in the verses before us Abraham's example unto... [ Continue Reading ]
In this one verse we have an abridgment of the whole gospel, the death and resurrection of Christ declared, and the benefit and advantages of both assigned. 1. For his death; HE WAS DELIVERED FOR OUR OFFENCES. Here note, 1. The person delivered: He, that is, Christ Jesus the righteous; the Lord our... [ Continue Reading ]