Rom 4:4, 9-10 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 4. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. ] Therefore, if Abraham had been justified by works , the blessings he received would have been given to him as a reward for those works, and consequently his believing could have had no part in his justification , and his faith would have been useless.

‏ Romans 4:4

Verse 4. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.] Therefore, if Abraham had been justified by works, the blessings he received would have been given to him as a reward for those works, and consequently his believing could have had no part in his justification, and his faith would have been useless.

‏ Romans 4:9-10

Verse 9. Cometh this blessedness-upon the circumcision only] The word μονον, only, is very properly supplied by our translators, and indeed is found in some excellent MSS., and is here quite necessary to complete the sense. The apostle's question is very nervous. If this pardon, granted in this way, be essential to happiness-and David says it is so-then is it the privilege of the Jews exclusively? This cannot be; for, as it is by the mere mercy of God, through faith, the circumcision cannot even claim it. But if God offer it to the circumcision, not because they have been obedient, for they also have sinned, but because of his mere mercy, then of course the same blessedness may be offered to the Gentiles who believe in the Lord Jesus. And this is evident; for we say, following our own Scriptures, that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness; he had no merit, he was an idolater; but he believed in God, and his faith was reckoned to him ειςδικαιοσυνην, in reference to his justification; he brought faith when he could not bring works; and God accepted his faith in the place of obedience; and this became the instrumental cause of his justification.

Verse 10. How was it then reckoned?] In what circumstances was Abraham when this blessing was bestowed upon him? When he was circumcised, or before?

Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.] Faith was reckoned to Abraham for justification, as we read Ge 15:6, (where see the note;) but circumcision was not instituted till about fourteen or fifteen years after, Ge 17:1, &c.; for faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness or justification at least one year before Ishmael was born; compare Gen. 15, and 16. At Ishmael's birth he was eighty-six years of age, Ge 16:16; and, at the institution of circumcision, Ishmael was thirteen, and Abraham ninety-nine years old. See Ge 17:24, 25; and see Dr. Taylor.