Romans 4:3

“For what saith the Scripture? etc..] This answers to bytkd yam, “what is that which is written” f50? or what does the Scripture say? which is a way of speaking used by the Jews, when anything is proposed, which seems contrary to Scripture, as here justification by works does. A testimony from Scripture is here produced, proving that Abraham was justified by faith, and not by works: the place referred to is (<011506>Genesis 15:6); Abraham believed God; the object of his faith and trust were not his riches, nor his righteousness, but Jehovah, the Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, styled in (<011501>Genesis 15:1), “the Word of the Lord”, the essential Word of God, and called his…”

“For what saith the, Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it--his faith. was counted to him for righteousness-- (Gen 15:6). Romish expositors and Arminian Protestants make this to mean that God accepted Abraham's act of believing as a substitute for complete obedience. But this is at variance with the whole spirit and letter of the apostle's teaching. Throughout this whole argument, faith is set in direct opposition to works, in the matter of justification--and even in Rom 4:4-5. The meaning, therefore, cannot possibly be that the mere act of believing--which is as much a work as any other piece of commanded duty (Joh 6:29; Jo1 3:23) --was counted to Abraham for all obedience. The meaning…”

“For what saith the Scripture? - The inspired account of Abraham’s justification. This account was final, and was to settle the question. This account is found in Genesis 15:6. Abraham believed God - In the Hebrew, “Abraham believed Yahweh.” The sense is substantially the same, as the argument turns on the act of believing. The faith which Abraham exercised was, that his posterity should be like the stars of heaven in number. This promise was made to him when he had no child, and of course when he had no prospect of such a posterity. See the strength and nature of this faith further illustrated in Romans 4:16-21. The reason why it was counted to him for righteousness was, that it was such a…”

“Abraham believed God - That promise of God concerning the numerousness of his seed, Gen 15:5, Gen 15:7; but especially the promise concerning Christ, Gen 12:3, through whom all nations should be blessed. And it was imputed to him for righteousness - God accepted him as if he had been altogether righteous. Gen 15:6. Romans 4:4”

“4:3 Paul quotes Gen 15:6. In response to God’s promise that he would have descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, Abraham believed God. It was faith that established Abraham’s relationship with God—not works (Rom 4:3-8), circumcision (4:9-12), the law (4:13-17), or the number of his descendants (4:18-21).”

“what: Rom 9:17, Rom 10:11, Rom 11:2; Isa 8:20; Mar 12:10; Jam 4:5; Pe2 1:20, Pe2 1:21 Abraham: Gen 15:6; Gal 3:6-8; Jam 2:23 counted: Rom 4:5, Rom 4:9, Rom 4:11, Rom 4:22-25; Psa 106:31 Romans 4:4”