4:1 What {1} shall we then say that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the {a} flesh, hath found?
(1) A new argument of great weight, taken from the example of Abraham the father of all believers: and this is the proposition: if Abraham is considered in himself by his works, he has deserved nothing with which to rejoice with God.
(a) By works, as is evident from the next verse.
4:1 Abraham Justified While Still a Gentile
SUMMARY OF ROMANS 4:
Abraham Not Justified by Works, but by Faith. His Faith Reckoned for Righteousness. David Describes the Same Blessedness. This Blessedness of Forgiveness for Gentiles As Well As Jews. Abraham Counted Righteous Before He Was Circumcised. The Promise of a Redeemer and of a Land Made to Abraham Before. He Was Circumcised. The Greatness of Abraham's Faith. To All, Whether Jew or Gentile, Righteousness Will Be Imputed,. Who Have Abraham's Faith.
What shall we then say? Paul, having show that faith is the essential principle of justification, now inquires concerning Abraham's faith and justification.
Abraham, our father. Our forefather according to the flesh, in the Revised Version. The ancestor of the Jewish race.
Hath found. The thought is, Hath he found justification by works, or by faith?
4:1 That our father Abraham hath found - Acceptance with God. According to the flesh - That is, by works.
4:1-12 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, Ge 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 whereby 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.
