American Standard Version
Romans 4:2
2For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God.
Romans 4:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
- New International Version (NIV)If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
Context of Romans 4:2
1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, hath found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God. 3For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. 4Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt.
Read all of Romans 4Romans 4:2 word by word
εἰ γὰρ Ἀβραὰμ ἐξ ἔργων ἐδικαιώθη, ἔχει καύχημα ἀλλ᾽ οὐ πρὸς θεόν.Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Romans 4:2
- Romans 3:20because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.
- Philippians 3:9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith:
- Romans 3:27Where then is the glorying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? of works? Nay: but by a law of faith.
- Romans 15:17I have therefore my glorying in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.
- Ezekiel 8:9And he said unto me, Go in, and see the wicked abominations that they do here.
- Jeremiah 9:23Thus saith Jehovah, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches;
- 1 Corinthians 9:16For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.
- 2 Corinthians 5:12We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but speak as giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to answer them that glory in appearance, and not in heart.
- 2 Corinthians 11:12But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
- 2 Corinthians 12:1I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
- Galatians 6:13For not even they who receive circumcision do themselves keep the law; but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
- Ephesians 2:9not of works, that no man should glory.
- Genesis 12:12and it will come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they will say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
- Genesis 20:9Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and wherein have I sinned against thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.
- Joshua 24:2And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt of old time beyond the River, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor: and they served other gods.
- 1 Corinthians 1:29that no flesh should glory before God.
Commentaries on Romans 4:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2For if Abraham were justified by works - The Jew proceeds: - I conclude, therefore, that Abraham was justified by works, or by his obedience to this law of circumcision; and, consequently, he has cause for glorying, , to exult in something which he has done to entitle him to these blessings. Now, it is evident that he has this glorying, and consequently that he was justified by works. Apostle. But not before God - These seem to be the apostle's words, and…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2For if Abraham - This is the answer of the apostle. If Abraham was justified on the ground of his own merits, he would have reason to boast, or to claim praise. He might regard himself as the author of it, and take the praise to himself; see Romans 4:4. The inquiry, therefore, was, whether in the account of the justification of Abraham, there was to be found any such statement of a reason for self-confidence and boasting. But not before God - In the…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-25First: Abraham was justified by faith. 1-3. What shall we say then that Abraham, our father as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?--that is, (as the order in the original shows), "hath found, as pertaining to ('according to,' or 'through') the flesh"; meaning, "by all his natural efforts or legal obedience."Read the comment
Topics related to Romans 4:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Romans 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries