ACC ~ Romans 4 v1

ABRAHAM JUSTIFIED BEFORE BEING CIRCUMCISED. AMBROSIASTER: After showing that no one can be justified before God by the works of the law, Paul goes on to say that Abraham could not merit anything according to the flesh either. In saying “the flesh,” Paul meant circumcision, because Abraham sought nothing on the basis of his circumcision. For he was already justified before he was circumcised. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

FOREFATHER ACCORDING TO THE FLESH. APOLLINARIS OF LAODICEA: Paul shows from the example of Abraham that faith is not given only to those who are under the law and the circumcision, but also to those who are not circumcised. For Abraham was not justified by his works either, nor did he have any reason to boast, for he was imperfect and apart from God he could do nothing. … Abraham our father was justified by faith. Paul calls him the “forefather according to the flesh” of those Israelites who have become sons of God by the Spirit. For Christ was made like them in his birth according to the flesh, and now he has made them like him through his birth by grace in the Spirit. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

FIRST TO BE CIRCUMCISED. CHRYSOSTOM: The Jews kept repeating that Abraham, the friend of God, was the first to be circumcised. Paul wants to show that he was justified by faith. HOMILIES ON ROMANS 8.

[PSEUDO-]CONSTANTIUS: In saying “according to the flesh” Paul reveals that Abraham handed down his flesh but not his soul. THE HOLY LETTER OF ST. PAUL TO THE ROMANS.

PELAGIUS: Paul calls the Jews back to the beginning of circumcision, so that what it originally stood for might be fully understood. PELAGIUS’S COMMENTARY ON ROMANS.

Rom