Bible Commentary

And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: 19. being not weak ] i.e., at that crisis; so the Gr. implies. Under that strain he did not succumb; in faith he rose to the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 4:19”

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. 18. against hope in hope ] Lit. beyond hope upon hope. Here perhaps the first is subjective hope, the second objective. Abraham was asked to believe in a way … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 4:18”

(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. 17. as it is written ] Gen 17:5, when the name Abraham was given. Cp. the remarkable phrase of Gal … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 4:17”

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, 16. Therefore, &c.] Lit. Therefore … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 4:16”

Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, [there is] no transgression. 15. the law worketh wrath: for ] “For” indicates that this statement confirms that just made, namely, that inheritance by law must bar the fulfilment of the promise. “The faith” in question was said to be “reckoned for righteousness” to the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 4:15”

For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 14. of the law ] Lit. out of the law. On the Gr. construction see on Rom 3:26 ( ad finem). “ Law ” here is without article, and possibly its reference is general; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 4:14”

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. 13. For the promise, &c.] Here again the Gr. order is emphatic: For not through the law came the promise, &c. that he should be the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 4:13”

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. 12. of circumcision ] Practically = of the circumcision; (see last note on Rom 1:4). Abraham is here said to be … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 4:12”

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: 11. the sign of circumcision ] i.e. circumcision as a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 4:11”

How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 10. Not in circumcision ] Genesis 15 precedes Genesis 17 by at least fourteen years. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges How – In what circumstances, or time. When he was in circumcision … … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 4:10”