Chapter 4

4:2  For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

works

Cf. James 2:24 . These are two aspects of one truth. Paul speaks of that which justifies man before God, viz.: faith alone, wholly apart from works; James of the proof before men, that he who professes to have justifying faith really has it. Paul speaks of what God sees--faith; James of what men see--works, as the visible evidence of faith. Paul draws his illustration from Genesis 15:6 James from Genesis 22:1-19 . James' key phrase is "ye see" James 2:24 for men cannot see faith except as manifested through works.

4:3  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

God Jehovah. Genesis 15:6 .

counted Or, reckoned, or imputed, i.e. put to the account of. See Philemon 1:18 same word:

righteousnesss See Romans 4:5 Romans 4:6 Romans 4:9 Romans 4:11 Romans 4:13 Romans 4:22 . See Romans 3:21 . (See Scofield "Romans 3:21") .

4:5  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

counted

Or, reckoned, or imputed, i.e. put to the account of.

See Philemon 1:18, same word:

4:6  Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

imputed

Or, reckoned, i.e. put to the account of. See Philemon 1:18, same word:

4:7  Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

iniquites, sins

Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23") .

4:8  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Lord Jehovah. Romans 4:7 Romans 4:8 .

impute Or, reckoned, or imputed, i.e. put to the account of. See Philemon 1:18, same word:

4:11  And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

imputed

Or, reckoned, i.e. put to the account of. See Philemon 1:18 ; same word:

4:15  Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

transgression

Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23") .

4:22  And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

imputed

Or, reckoned, i.e. put to the account of. See Philemon 1:18, same word:

4:23  Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

imputed

Or, reckoned, i.e. put to the account of. See Philemon 1:18 ; same word:

4:24  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

imputed

Or, reckoned, i.e. put to the account of. See Philemon 1:18, same word:

4:25  Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

raised

Christ died under our sins 1 Peter 2:24 ; 2 Corinthians 5:21 that He was raised and exalted to God's right hand, "now to appear in the presence of God for us" Hebrews 9:24 is the token that our sins are gone, that His work for us has the divine approbation and that we, for whom He suffered, are completely justified.