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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Romans 4:6 - 4:6
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Rom 4:6. Καὶ, even) after the law was given by Moses.-Δανὶδ, David) David is very appositely introduced after Abraham, because both, being among the progenitors of the Messiah, received and propagated the promise. No direct promise regarding the Messiah was given to Moses, because the latter (Christ) is placed in opposition to the former, and was not descended from the stem of Moses.-λέγει τὸν μακαρισμὸν) he [describes] declares the blessedness of the man, μακαρίζω, I pronounce him blessed. The words are to be thus construed: λέγει, declares without any reference to works; that is, David, in recounting the ground of bestowing salvation on man, makes no mention at all of works. The argument derived from the silence of Scripture is often quite conclusive. But David, it may be said, immediately adds, and in his spirit there is no guile, which is all the same as an allegation of works. Ans. It is not all the same. This addition has no part in the definition of the subject, but forms a part of the predicate, although not even then would the merit of works be established; for the thief who confesses his crime, and does not guilefully deny it, does not merit pardon for his offence by that confession of his. But this is the meaning: blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin: blessed is he, and in his spirit there is no guile; that is, he is sure of his condition, of the forgiveness of his sins; he may have good confidence; his spirit, his heart does not deceive him, so as to become, as it were, a רמיה קשת, a deceitful bow, Psa 78:57. The act of Phinehas was also imputed to him for righteousness, Psa 106:31; not, indeed, in viewing it as a work: but it was, as it were, unmixed [mera] faith. He seemed neither to see nor hear anything else, by reason of his unmixed zeal, that he might maintain the honour of his God.