1.
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
What, &c. See Romans 3:5 . Forcible form of Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ). Resuming from Romans 3:21 .
father = forefather, as the texts read. Figure of speech Synecdoche of Species, App-6 .
as pertaining to . Greek. kata . App-104 .
the flesh . All the Jews claimed Abraham as their father, See Romans 9:5 .Luke 1:73; 3 John 1:83 John 1:8 :39 (Compare Rom 4:56 ). Acts 7:2 .
2.
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
if App-118 .
justified . App-191 .
by . Greek. ek . App-104 .
glory . Greek. kauchema. See Romans 3:27 and 2 Corinthians 9:3 .
not . App-105 .
before . Greek. pros. App-104 .
God . App-98 .
3.
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
the Scripture . Genesis 15:6 .
Abraham . Read, "Now Abraham. "
believed . App-150 . counted = reckoned, imputed. Greek. logizomai. See Romans 2:3 (Paul quotes the Septuagint)
unto = to.
righteousness . App-191 .
4.
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
reckoned . Same as "counted", Romans 4:3 .
grace . App-184 .
debt . Greek. opheilema. Only here and Matthew 6:12 .
5.
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
believeth . App-150 .
ungodly = impious. Greek. asebes. Here, Romans 5:6 . 1Ti 1:9 . 1 Peter 4:18 . 2 Peter 2:5 ; 2 Peter 3:7 . Jude 1:15 . Compare App-128 .
faith . App-150 .
6.
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
describeth = says of.
blessedness . Greek. makarismos. Here, Romans 4:9 . Galatians 1:4 , Galatians 1:15 .
man . App-123 .
imputeth . Same as "count", Romans 4:3 .
without = apart from. See Romans 3:21 .
7.
Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Blessed . App-63 .
iniquities . App-128 .
forgiven . App-174 .
sins . App-128 .
covered = covered over. Greek. epikalupto. Only here.
8.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
LORD . App-98 .
not . App-105 . Quoted from Psalms 32:1 , Psalms 32:2 . App-107 .
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.
Cometh, &c . = This blessing, then, is it?
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:
sign. App-176 .
being uncircumcised = in (Greek. en) uncircumcision.
that, &c . = unto ( App-104 .) his being.
them, &c . Literally of all the believing (ones). App-150 .
though, &c. = through ( App-104 .Romans 4:1; Romans 4:1 ) uncircumcision.
also . Omit.
12.
And 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.
walk . Greek. stoicheo. See Acts 21:24 .
steps . Greek. ichnos. Only here, 2Co 12:18 . 1 Peter 2:21 .
13.
For 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.
For, &c . The Greek reads, "For not through law was the promise. "Compare Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:18 .
heir . Compare Galatians 1:3 , Gal 1:29 and Hebrews 11:8-10 .
world . App-129 .
through . App-104 .Romans 4:1 .
14.
For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
the . Omit.
is made void = Literally has been emptied. Greek. kenoo. Elsewhere, 1 Corinthians 1:17 ; 1Co 9:15 . 2 Corinthians 9:3 .Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:7 .
made of none effect . Greek. katargeo. See Romans 3:3 .
15.
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
worketh . See Romans 1:27 .
for . The texts read "but".
no = not. App-105 .
no = neither. Greek. oude.
transgression . See Romans 2:23 .
16.
Therefore 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,
Therefore = On account of ( App-104 .Romans 4:2; Romans 4:2 ) this.
of faith. See Romans 1:17 .
that = in order that. Greek. hina .
by . Greek. kata . App-104 .
to the end . Greek. eis . App-104 .
might = may.
sure . Greek. bebaios. Here, 2 Corinthians 1:7 . Hebrews 2:2 ; Hebrews 3:6 , Hebrews 3:14 ; Hebrews 6:19 ; Heb 9:17 . 2 Peter 1:10 , 2 Peter 1:19 .
all the seed . To every child of faithful Abraham, Jew and Gentile alike.
of the faith . See Romans 1:17 .
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.
written . Genesis 17:5 .
made = set, appointed. Greek. tithemi.
believed . App-150 .
quickeneth = maketh alive. Greek. zoopoieo. Here, 1 John 5:21; 1 John 5:21 ; John 6:63 . 1Co 15:22 , 1 Corinthians 15:36 , 1 Corinthians 15:45 ; 2 Corinthians 3:6 . Galatians 1:3 , Gal 1:21 . 1 Timothy 6:13 . 1 Timothy 6:1 Pet.
the dead . App-139 .
calleth, &c . Primarily of Isaac. Compare Genesis 15 .
18.
Who 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.
against . App-104 .
believed in . App-150 .
the . Omit.
nations . Greek. ethnos. See Romans 1:5 .
according to . Greek. kata . App-104 .
So, &c . Quoted from Genesis 15:5 .
19.
And 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:
being, &c . Figure of speech Tapeinosis. App-6 . See this Figure of speech in Romans 5:6 also.
considered . App-133 .
not . The texts omit.
now = already.
dead . Greek. nekroo. See Colossians 3:5 .Hebrews 11:12 .
when he was = be being. Greek. huparcho. See Luke 9:48 .
an hundred years old . Greek. hekatontaetes. Only here.
neither yet = and.
deadness . Greek. nekrosis. Only here and 2 Corinthians 4:10 .
20.
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
staggered . Greek. diakrino. App-122 . Compare Matthew 21:21 .
through = by.
was strong . Greek. endunamoo. See Acts 9:22 .
glory . See Romans 1:23 and John 1:14 .
21.
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
fully persuaded . Greek. plerophoreo. Occurances, Romans 14:5 .Luke 1:1 . 2 Timothy 4:5 , 2 Timothy 4:17 .
also, &c. = to perform also.
22.
And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
And therefore = Wherefore also.
23.
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
for his sake = on account of him.
24.
But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
for us = on account of us.
shall = is about to.
if we believe = to (us) believing.
the dead. App-139 :3.
25.
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
delivered . See John 19:30 .
offences . App-128 .
again . Omit.
justification = justifying. App-191 .