4:25 Who was delivered for our {t} offences, and was raised again for our justification.
(t) To pay the ransom for our sins.
4:25 Who was delivered for our offences. He died for us (Ro 5:8 1Th 5:10); was made sin for us (2Co 5:21). He was to be cut off, but not for himself (Da 9:26).
Raised again for our justification. The resurrection of Christ was his own justification against the condemnation of the world. In his justification, all for whom he died, who have laid hold on him by faith and are found in him, are justified with him, in that their sins are forgiven. Without the resurrection, the sepulcher of Christ would be the grave of all our hopes. This is beautifully symbolized in baptism. We are buried by baptism into death (Ro 6:4), his death, planted in the likeness of his death (Ro 6:5), figuratively die with him. We are also planted in the likeness of his resurrection (Ro 6:5). We rise with him, new creatures (2Co 5:17), justified by his resurrection.
4:25 Who was delivered - To death. For our offences - As an atonement for them. And raised for our justification - To empower us to receive that atonement by faith.
4:23-25 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, Isa 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.
