Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Romans 4

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

justified

Justification. Rom 5:1, 9. (Luk 18:14; Rom 3:28).

by works

Cf. Jas 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 Gen 15:6; James from Gen 22:1-19. James' key phrase is "ye see" (Jas 2:24), for men cannot see faith except as manifested through works.

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

believed

Faith. Rom 5:1-2. (Gen 3:20; Heb 11:39.)

God

Jehovah. Genesis 15:6.

counted [See also Rom 4:5-6, 8, 11, 22.]

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

righteousness

See Romans 4:5-6, 9, 11, 13, 22. See Scofield Romans 3:21, note.

Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

grace

Grace (in salvation). Rom 4:4-5, 16; 5:2, 15-21. (Jhn 16:1; Rom 3:24.)

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

faith

Faith. Rom 5:1-2. (Gen 3:20; Heb 11:39.)

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

iniquites…sins [See also Rom 4:15.]

Sin. Scofield Romans 3:23, note.

forgiven

Forgiveness. 2Co 2:7-10. (Lev 4:20; Mat 26:28.)

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

Lord

Jehovah. Romans 4:7-8; Psa 32:2.

Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

world

i.e. earth.

Rom 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

the law

Law (of Moses). Rom 4:13-16; 5:13, 20. (Exo 19:1; Gal 3:1-29).

Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

a father of many nations

Gen 17:5.

Rom 4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

So shall thy seed be

Gen 15:5.

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

imputed

i.e. reckoned.

Rom 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

Imputation. Rom 4:6, 8-11, 23-24; 5:13. (Lev 25:50; Jas 2:23.)

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

raised again

Christ died under our sins (1Pe 2:24; 2Co 5:21); that He was raised and exalted to God's right hand, "now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Heb 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.