4:3 say? (b-6) See Genesis 15:6 . as (c-17) I am not quite satisfied with 'as;' but it is the nearest approach to the sense in English. 'For,' I object to; because then faith is made of positive worth, having the value of righteousness; whereas the sense is that he was holden for righteous in virtue of faith. 'For' does not go far enough as righteousness; too far as to a positive value of faith. Faith might be reckoned for righteousness, and yet the righteousness come short of what was required; whereas if it be reckoned as righteousness, then the full value of righteousness, as such, is seen. 'the man was held to have righteousness.' It is a Hebrew form. See Psalms 106:31 .Genesis 15:6 , where there is no preposition, makes the force of the expression plain.
4:11 be (h-24) 'In order to his being.' It is necessary perhaps to say, 'that he might be' in English; but that is an expression of purpose which goes rather too far. See Note i, ch. 1.20.
4:12 Abraham. (a-31) 'Father of circumcision' means, he in whom real separation to God was first publicly established. Perhaps 'of the faith, during [his] uncircumcision, of our father Abraham' may be clearer.
4:18 in (d-5) Or 'with,' epi . It is the state or condition of his mind in believing. see ch. 10.19 and 1 Corinthians 9:10 , and Note at 2 Timothy 1:12 . spoken, (e-19) Genesis 15:5 .
4:20 faith, (f-15) 'Found strength in faith' may be rather free, but 'strengthened by faith' might very easily be applied to his body, whereas it means that he was inwardly strengthened by faith. It is, I apprehend, in opposition to 'hesitating through unbelief.' Literally, it is 'gifted with strength.' Abraham was gifted with strength by faith (i.e. inwardly, in contrast with doubt).
Bibliographical Information Darby, John. "Commentary on Romans 4". "John Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsn/romans-4.html. 1857-67.
Introduction
1:1 called (f-7) 'A called apostle,' i.e. an apostle by (divine) calling. Cf. ver. 7 'called saints,' and see note there.
Verse 3
4:3 say? (b-6) See Genesis 15:6 . as (c-17) I am not quite satisfied with 'as;' but it is the nearest approach to the sense in English. 'For,' I object to; because then faith is made of positive worth, having the value of righteousness; whereas the sense is that he was holden for righteous in virtue of faith. 'For' does not go far enough as righteousness; too far as to a positive value of faith. Faith might be reckoned for righteousness, and yet the righteousness come short of what was required; whereas if it be reckoned as righteousness, then the full value of righteousness, as such, is seen. 'the man was held to have righteousness.' It is a Hebrew form. See Psalms 106:31 .Genesis 15:6 , where there is no preposition, makes the force of the expression plain.
Verse 5
4:5 on (d-10) See Note, Acts 9:42 .
Verse 6
4:6 without (e-16) As ch. 3.21. works. (f-17) See Psalms 32:1-2 .
Verse 8
4:8 sin. (g-13) That is, 'not account of him as having any.'
Verse 11
4:11 be (h-24) 'In order to his being.' It is necessary perhaps to say, 'that he might be' in English; but that is an expression of purpose which goes rather too far. See Note i, ch. 1.20.
Verse 12
4:12 Abraham. (a-31) 'Father of circumcision' means, he in whom real separation to God was first publicly established. Perhaps 'of the faith, during [his] uncircumcision, of our father Abraham' may be clearer.
Verse 15
4:15 law (b-2) Or 'For the law.'
Verse 17
4:17 written, (c-5) See Genesis 17:5
Verse 18
4:18 in (d-5) Or 'with,' epi . It is the state or condition of his mind in believing. see ch. 10.19 and 1 Corinthians 9:10 , and Note at 2 Timothy 1:12 . spoken, (e-19) Genesis 15:5 .
Verse 20
4:20 faith, (f-15) 'Found strength in faith' may be rather free, but 'strengthened by faith' might very easily be applied to his body, whereas it means that he was inwardly strengthened by faith. It is, I apprehend, in opposition to 'hesitating through unbelief.' Literally, it is 'gifted with strength.' Abraham was gifted with strength by faith (i.e. inwardly, in contrast with doubt).
Verse 24
4:24 on (g-8) See Note, Acts 9:12 .
Verse 25
4:25 justification, (h-14) See Note k, ch. 5.16.