Charles Ellicott Commentary Romans 4:15

"for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression." — Romans 4:15 (ASV)

But in reality, the Law is unable to admit them to this. It has an entirely contrary function—namely, to call down punishment upon the offenses that it reveals. The Law and faith, therefore, mutually exclude each other, and faith is left to be the sole arbiter of salvation.

Where no law is.—Transgression is, ex vi termini, the transgression or breach of law, and therefore has no existence in that age of unconscious morality which precedes the introduction of law.

On Romans 4:14-17

This Messianic kingdom cannot have anything to do with law, for if it did, faith and the promise would cease to have any function. Faith and law cannot coexist. They are the opposites of each other.

The proper effect of law is punishment, for law only exposes sin. Faith, on the other hand, is the real key to the inheritance.

Faith sets in motion grace, and grace, unlike law, excludes no one. It is open equally to the legal and to the spiritual descendants of Abraham—in other words (as the Scripture itself testifies), to all mankind, whom Abraham represents before God.