Bible Commentaries
Romans 4

Verse 1

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 .

Verse 2

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 .

Verse 3

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 .

Verse 4

reckoned . Same as "counted", Romans 4:3 .

grace . App-184 .

debt . Greek. opheilema. Only here and Matthew 6:12 .

Verse 5

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 .

Verse 6

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 .

Verse 7

Blessed . App-63 .

iniquities . App-128 .

forgiven . App-174 .

sins . App-128 .

covered = covered over. Greek. epikalupto. Only here.

Verse 8

LORD . App-98 .

not . App-105 . Quoted from Psalms 32:1 , Psalms 32:2 . App-107 .

Verse 9

Cometh, &c . = This blessing, then, is it?

Verse 11

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.

Verse 12

walk . Greek. stoicheo. See Acts 21:24 .

steps . Greek. ichnos. Only here, 2Co 12:18 . 1 Peter 2:21 .

Verse 13

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 .

Verse 14

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 .

Verse 15

worketh . See Romans 1:27 .

for . The texts read "but".

no = not. App-105 .

no = neither. Greek. oude.

transgression . See Romans 2:23 .

Verse 16

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 .

Verse 17

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 15:0 .

Verse 18

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 .

Verse 19

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 .

Verse 20

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 .

Verse 21

fully persuaded . Greek. plerophoreo. Occurances, Romans 14:5 .Luke 1:1 . 2 Timothy 4:5 , 2 Timothy 4:17 .

also, &c. = to perform also.

Verse 22

And therefore = Wherefore also.

Verse 23

for his sake = on account of him.

Verse 24

for us = on account of us.

shall = is about to.

if we believe = to (us) believing.

the dead. App-139 :3.

Verse 25

delivered . See John 19:30 .

offences . App-128 .

again . Omit.

justification = justifying. App-191 .