Part 1320

3:27. Where is then thy boasting? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.

3:28. For we account a man to be justified by faith, without the works of the law.

By faith, etc.... The faith, to which the apostle here attributes man’s justification, is not a presumptuous assurance of our being justified; but a firm and lively belief of all that God has revealed or promised. Heb. 11. A faith working through charity in Jesus Christ. Gal. 5.6. In short, a faith which takes in hope, love, repentance, and the use of the sacraments. And the works which he here excludes, are only the works of the law: that is, such as are done by the law of nature, or that of Moses, antecedent to the faith of Christ: but by no means, such as follow faith, and proceed from it.

3:29. Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? yes, of the Gentiles also.

3:30. For it is one God that justifieth circumcision by faith and uncircumcision through faith.

3:31. Do we then, destroy the law through faith? God forbid! But we establish the law.

Romans Chapter 4

Abraham was not justified by works done, as of himself, but by grace and by faith. And that before he was circumcised. Gentiles, by faith, are his children.

4:1. What shall we say then that Abraham hath found, who is our father according to the flesh?

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

By works.... Done by his own strength, without the grace of God, and faith in him. Not before God.... Whatever glory or applause such works might procure from men, they would be of no value in the sight of God.

4:3. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God: and it was reputed to him unto justice.

Reputed, etc.... By God, who reputeth nothing otherwise than it is. However, we may gather from this word, that when we are justified, our justification proceedeth from God’s free grace and bounty; and not from any efficacy which any act of ours could have of its own nature, abstracting from God’s grace.

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

To him that worketh.... Vis., as of his own fund, or by his own strength. Such a man, says the apostle, challenges his reward as a debt due to his own performances; whereas he who worketh not, that is, who presumeth not upon any works done by his own strength, but seeketh justice through faith and grace, is freely justified by God’s grace.

4:5. But to him that worketh not, yet believeth in him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reputed to justice, according to the purpose of the grace of God.

4:6. As David also termeth the blessedness of a man to whom God reputeth justice without works:

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

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.... That is, blessed are those who, by doing penance, have obtained pardon and remission of their sins, and also are covered; that is, newly clothed with the habit of grace, and vested with the stole of charity.

4:8. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin.

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin.... That is, blessed is the man who hath retained his baptismal innocence, that no grievous sin can be imputed to him. And, likewise, blessed is the man, who after fall into sin, hath done penance and leads a virtuous life, by frequenting the sacraments necessary for obtaining the grace to prevent a relapse, that sin is no more imputed to him.

4:9. This blessedness then, doth it remain in the circumcision only or in the uncircumcision also? For we say that unto Abraham faith was reputed to justice.

In the circumcision, etc.... That is, is it only for the Jews that are circumcised? No, says the apostle, but also for the uncircumcised Gentiles: who, by faith and grace, may come to justice; as Abraham did before he was circumcised.

4:10. How then was it reputed? When he was in circumcision or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

4:11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the justice of the faith which he had, being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, being uncircumcised: that unto them also it may be reputed to justice:

4:12. And he might be the father of circumcision; not to them only that are of the circumcision, but to them also that follow the steps of the faith that is in the uncircumcision of our father Abraham.

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

4:14. For if they who are of the law be heirs, faith is made void: the promise is made of no effect.