Audio commentary on this verse

Note 1 at Rom. 4:1: The question is, "What good then were Abraham's works?" Paul answers this indirectly. Paul states what Abraham's works were not good for. They were not good enough to grant him justification in the sight of God. That came by faith (see ref. c, v. 2). He shows that Abraham's works or efforts didn't earn him anything from God. Abraham was justified by faith for over thirteen years (see note 3 at Rom. 4:10, p. 677) before he performed the act of circumcision that the Jews were insisting was necessary for right standing with God (vv. 10-11).