Romans Chapter 4 verse 2 Holy Bible
For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God.
read chapter 4 in ASV
For if Abraham got righteousness by works, he has reason for pride; but not before God.
read chapter 4 in BBE
For if Abraham has been justified on the principle of works, he has whereof to boast: but not before God;
read chapter 4 in DARBY
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
read chapter 4 in KJV
read chapter 4 in WBT
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not toward God.
read chapter 4 in WEB
for if Abraham by works was declared righteous, he hath to boast -- but not before god;
read chapter 4 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 2. - For if Abraham was justified by works, be hath whereof to glory; but not before God. Many commentators take this verse to imply that, even if he was justified by works, he still had no ground of glorying before God, though he might have before men. But the drift of the whole argument being to show that he was not justified by works at all, this interpretation can hardly stand. "Not before God" must therefore have reference to the whole of the preceding sentence, in the sense, "It was not so in the sight of God." Before God (as appears from the text to be quoted) he had not whereof to glory on the ground of being justified by works, and therefore it follows that it was not by works that he was justified.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(2) We know that he obtained justification. If that justification had been earned by his own works it would then have been something to be proud of; it would be a pride that he might fairly hold both towards men and towards God; for to men he could point to the privileged position that he had gained, and in the sight of God he would be able to plead a certain merit of his own. But he has not this merit. His justification was not earned, but it was bestowed upon him, not for the sake of his works, but of his faith. This is the express statement of Scripture. And hence it follows that though his privileged position in the sight of men remains, he has nothing to boast of before God.But not before God.--This is an instance of the rapid and eager dialectic of the Apostle. If the whole train of thought had been given it would probably have run much as above, but the greater part of it is suppressed, and the Apostle strikes straight at the one point which he intended to bring into relief. (Whatever there might be before men) there is no boasting before God.
