Audio commentary on this verse

Note 7 at Rom. 4:4: Paul is saying that if an individual could be saved by works, then God would be providing that salvation as a payment to that person, and, of course, that doesn't make sense. God is not under obligation or debt to save anyone. Trust in our own works voids grace and likewise trust in God's grace makes faith in our own efforts useless. This is repeated by Paul again in Romans 11:6; "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."