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Rom 4:5. Τον ἀσεβῆ, the ungodly) This points out the excellence of faith, which hath established it so as that the ungodly are justified, ch. Rom 5:6. Compare and consider the end of Rom 4:17 of this chapter. Translate τὸν ἀσεβῆ, him who is ungodly. Justification belongs to individuals. This word is a most conclusive proof that Paul is speaking, even most especially, of the moral law, by the works of which no one can be justified.-κατὰ τὴν πρόθεσιν τῆς χάριτος τοῦ Θεο͂υ, according to the purpose of the grace of God) A very ancient translator[44] of the Scriptures into Latin has this clause; following him, Hilariu[45], the deacon; then the scholiast on Jerome, etc. Beza acknowledges that it is exceedingly suitable; for there is a manifest antithesis between, not according to grace, but according to debt [Rom 4:4] etc., according to the purpose of the grace of God. The Greek transcribers might easily jump from κατὰ to ΚΑΘΆΠΕΡ [omitting ΚΑΤᾺ Τ. ΠΡΌΘΕΣΙΝ, etc.] During the time that intervened between the publication of the Apparatus and the Gnomon, I have advanced on without inconsistency to the embracing of this clause, to which Beza is not opposed. Baumgarten has put in his negative. I have stated my reasons; he has given his; let those judge who are able. Paul sets in opposition to each other, works and πρόθεσιν, the purpose; and at the very time too, when he is speaking definitely of certain believers, the subjects of that purpose, as in this passage, of Abraham.
[44] Some old copies of the Vulg. have the words. But the Cod. Amiatinus, the oldest MS. of the Vulg., omit them.-ED.
[45] ilarius (a Latin father: died 368 A.D.) Ed. Maurinorum, Paris. 1693.