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Scott's Reference Library
Romans 4:13 through Romans 4:25 (NIV)
13It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise
that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by
faith. 14For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the
promise is worthless, 15because law brings wrath. And where there is no law
there is no transgression.
16Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be
guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but
also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17As
it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in
the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and
calls things that are not as though they were.
18Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many
nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
19Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as
dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.
20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was
strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that
God had power to do what he had promised. 22This is why “it was credited to him
as righteousness.” 23The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him
alone, 24but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who
believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25He was delivered over
to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 13-22
The promise was made to Abraham long before the law. It points at Christ, and it
refers to the promise, Genesis 12:3. In Thee shall all families of the earth be
blessed. The law worketh wrath, by showing that every transgressor is exposed to
the Divine displeasure. As God intended to give men a title to the promised
blessings, so he appointed it to be by faith, that it might be wholly of grace,
to make it sure to all who were of the like precious faith with Abraham, whether
Jews or Gentiles, in all ages. The justification and salvation of sinners, 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 giving a being to
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
performance of his promise, firmly hoping when the case seemed hopeless. It is
weakness of faith, that makes a man lie poring on the difficulties in the way of
a promise. Abraham took it not for a point that would admit of argument or
debate. Unbelief is at the bottom of all our staggerings at God’s promises. The
strength of faith appeared in its victory over fears. God honours faith; and
great faith honours God. It was imputed to him for righteousness. Faith is a
grace that of all others gives glory to God. Faith clearly is the instrument by
which we receive the righteousness of God, the redemption which is by Christ;
and that which is the instrument whereby we take or receive it, cannot be the
thing itself, nor can it be the gift thereby taken and received. Abraham’s faith
did not justify him by its own merit or value, but as giving him a part in
Christ.
VERSES 23-25
The history of Abraham, and of his justification, was recorded to teach men of
after-ages; those especially 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; which is the truth urged in this and the
foregoing chapter, as the great spring and foundation of all comfort. Christ did
meritoriously work our justification and salvation by his death and passion, but
the power and perfection thereof, with respect to 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 abridgement or summary of the whole gospel.