Romans 4:2

The Scripture (h graph). Genesis 15:6 . Was justified by works (ex ergwn edikaiwqh). Condition of first class, assumed as true for the sake of argument, though untrue in fact. The rabbis had a doctrine of the merits of Abraham who had a superfluity of credits to pass on to the Jews ( Luke 3:8 ). But not towards God (all ou pro qeon). Abraham deserved all the respect from men that came to him, but his relation to God was a different matter. He had there no ground of boasting at all.