9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised , or on the uncircumcised also ? For we say , " FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS ." 10 How then was it credited ? While he was circumcised , or uncircumcised ? Not while circumcised , but while uncircumcised ; 11 and he received the sign of circumcision , a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised , so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised , that righteousness might be credited to them, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision , but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised .
13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law , but through the righteousness of faith . 14 For if those who are of the Law are heirs , faith is made void and the promise is nullified ; 15 for the Law brings about wrath , but where there is no law , there also is no violation . 16 For this reason it is by faith , in order that it may be in accordance with grace , so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants , not only to those who are of the Law , but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham , who is the father of us all ,
17 (as it is written , " A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU") in the presence of Him whom he believed , even God , who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist . 18 In hope against hope he believed , so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken , " SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE." 19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body , now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old , and the deadness of Sarah's womb ; 20 yet , with respect to the promise of God , he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith , giving glory to God , 21 and being fully assured that what God had promised , He was able also to perform . 22 Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS .
23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also , to whom it will be credited , as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead , 25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions , and was raised because of our justification .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 4:9-25
Commentary on Romans 4:1-12
(Read Romans 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," Genesis 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.
Commentary on Romans 4:13-22
(Read Romans 4:13-22)
The promise was made to Abraham long before the law. It points at Christ, and it refers to the promise, Genesis 12:3. In Thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. The law worketh wrath, by showing that every transgressor is exposed to the Divine displeasure. As God intended to give men a title to the promised blessings, so he appointed it to be by faith, that it might be wholly of grace, to make it sure to all who were of the like precious faith with Abraham, whether Jews or Gentiles, in all ages. The justification and salvation of sinners, the taking to himself the Gentiles who had not been a people, were a gracious calling of things which are not, as though they were; and this giving a being to things that were not, proves the almighty power of God. The nature and power of Abraham's faith are shown. He believed God's testimony, and looked for the performance of his promise, firmly hoping when the case seemed hopeless. It is weakness of faith, that makes a man lie poring on the difficulties in the way of a promise. Abraham took it not for a point that would admit of argument or debate. Unbelief is at the bottom of all our staggerings at God's promises. The strength of faith appeared in its victory over fears. God honours faith; and great faith honours God. It was imputed to him for righteousness. Faith is a grace that of all others gives glory to God. Faith clearly is the instrument by which we receive the righteousness of God, the redemption which is by Christ; and that which is the instrument whereby we take or receive it, cannot be the thing itself, nor can it be the gift thereby taken and received. Abraham's faith did not justify him by its own merit or value, but as giving him a part in Christ.
Commentary on Romans 4:23-25
(Read Romans 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, Isaiah 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.