Matthew Henry Commentary Romans 4
Matthew Henry Commentary
Romans 4
Matthew Henry Commentary
Romans 4
"What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, hath found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God. For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness. Even as David also pronounceth blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works, [saying], Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom, the Lord will not reckon sin. Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness. How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision: and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them; and the father of circumcision to them who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which he had in uncircumcision." — Romans 4:1-12 (ASV)
To meet the views of the Jews, the apostle first refers to the example of Abraham, in whom the Jews gloried as their most renowned forefather. However exalted in various respects, he had nothing to boast in the presence of God, being saved by grace, through faith, even as others. Without noticing the years which passed before his call, and the failures at times in his obedience, and even in his faith, it was expressly stated in Scripture that he believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness, (Genesis 15:6). From this example it is observed, that if any man could work the full measure required by the law, the reward must be reckoned as a debt, which evidently was not the case even of Abraham, seeing faith was reckoned to him for righteousness.
When believers are justified by faith, their faith being counted for righteousness, their faith does not justify them as a part, small or great, of their righteousness; but as the appointed means of uniting them to Him who has chosen as the name by which He shall be called, the Lord our Righteousness. Pardoned people are the only blessed people. It clearly appears from the Scripture, that Abraham was justified several years before his circumcision. It is, therefore, plain that this rite was not necessary in order to justification.
It was a sign of the original corruption of human nature. And it was such a sign as was also an outward seal, appointed not only to confirm God's promises to him and to his seed, and their obligation to be the Lord's, but likewise to assure him of his being already a real partaker of the righteousness of faith. Thus Abraham was the spiritual forefather of all believers, who walked after the example of his obedient faith. The seal of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification, making us new creatures, is the inward evidence of the righteousness of faith.
"For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect: for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression. For this cause [it is] of faith, that [it may be] according to grace; to the end that the promise may 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 (as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were. Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be. And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah`s womb; yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Wherefore also it was reckoned unto him for righteousness." — Romans 4:13-22 (ASV)
The promise was made to Abraham long before the law. It points to Christ, and it refers to the promise in Genesis 12:3: In Thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. The law works wrath by showing that every transgressor is exposed to divine displeasure. As God intended to give people a title to the promised blessings, He appointed it to be by faith, so that it might be wholly of grace, to make it sure to all who were of the same precious faith as Abraham, whether Jews or Gentiles, in all ages.
The justification and salvation of sinners, and the taking to Himself the Gentiles who had not been a people, were a gracious calling of things which are not, as though they were; and this bringing into being things that were not, proves the almighty power of God. The nature and power of Abraham's faith are shown. He believed God's testimony and looked for the fulfillment of His promise, firmly hoping when the case seemed hopeless.
It is weakness of faith that causes a person to pore over the difficulties in the way of a promise. Abraham did not consider it a point that would admit of argument or debate. Unbelief is at the bottom of all our wavering at God's promises. The strength of faith appeared in its victory over fears. God honors faith, and great faith honors God.
It was imputed to him for righteousness. Faith is a grace that, above all others, gives glory to God. Faith clearly is the instrument by which we receive the righteousness of God, the redemption that is by Christ; and that which is the instrument by which we take or receive it cannot be the thing itself, nor can it be the gift taken and received by it. Abraham's faith did not justify him by its own merit or value, but by giving him a part in Christ.
"Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him; but for our sake also, unto whom it shall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification." — Romans 4:23-25 (ASV)
The history of Abraham, and of his justification, was recorded to teach people of later ages—especially those to whom the gospel was then made known. It is plain that we are not justified by the merit of our own works, but by faith in Jesus Christ and His righteousness. This is the truth urged in this and the preceding chapter as the great source and foundation of all comfort.
Christ meritoriously worked our justification and salvation by His death and passion, but its power and perfection for us depend on His resurrection. By His death He paid our debt; in His resurrection He received our acquittance (Isaiah 53:8). When He was discharged, we, in Him and together with Him, received the discharge from the guilt and punishment of all our sins.
This last verse is an abridgment or summary of the whole gospel.
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