Romans 4
Scofield Reference Notes
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
[1] 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.

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

Jehovah. Gen 15:6.

Margin counted

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

Margin righteousnesss

See Rom 4:5,6,9,11,13,22. See Rom 3:21. See Scofield Note: "Rom 3:21".

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Margin counted

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

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Margin imputed

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

Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Margin iniquites, sins

Sin. See Scofield Note: "Rom 3:23".

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Margin Lord

Jehovah. Rom 4:7,8.

Margin impute

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

Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
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:
Margin imputed

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

And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
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.
For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Margin transgression

Sin. See Scofield Note: "Rom 3:23".

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,
(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.
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.
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Margin imputed

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

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
Margin imputed

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

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

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

Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
[1] raised

Christ died under our sins 1Pet 2:24 2Cor 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.

Scofield Reference Notes by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield [1917]

Bible Hub
Romans 3
Top of Page
Top of Page