genesis-15:6

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 15:1-21

Click image for full-size versionGod’s covenant with Abram (15:1-21)Earlier God had promised Abram a people and a land (see 12:2; 13:15). Abram’s faith concerning the promised land had been tested through drought and conflict, and his faith concerning the promised people was constantly being tested through his wife’s inability to have children. According to a custom of the time, a childless couple could adopt a person and make him heir to the family property. Abram therefore decided to adopt... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 15:6

believed: i.e. believed Jehovah = believed what he "heard" (Romans 10:17 ). counted = reckoned or imputed. righteousness. No art. = as righteousness. This was positive imputed righteousness (because he believed concerning Christ). It was more than forensic righteousness, which was negative or nonimputation of sin (Psalms 32:1 , Psalms 32:2 ). This was the consequence of the Gospel preached to Abram. (Compare Galatians 3:8 , and read Rom 4 and Galatians 3:0 ). read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:6

"And he believed in Jehovah; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness."One may only be astounded at the amount of nonsense written about this verse, which is hailed as the plan of salvation for the sinners of all ages, some even claiming that Abram was "saved by faith only," and trying to find here a corroboration of the great Lutheran heresy. There is no truth whatever in such views. Morris even discovered (?) here "a new covenant,"[11] and Unger hailed the passage as "the pattern of a... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 15:6

Genesis 15:6. He believed, &c.— Not only that he should have a child, though his wife was barren, and far advanced in life, as well as himself; but also that his posterity, which seemed extremely improbable, should be, like the stars, innumerable. Assured of the Divine veracity and power, he gave glory to God, and firmly credited upon God's authority what otherwise appeared impossible: and the Lord was so well satisfied with this faith of the patriarch, which gave so much honour to the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 15:6-7

Moses did not reveal exactly what Abram believed (confidently trusted, relied upon) for which God reckoned him righteous. In Hebrew the conjunction waw with the imperfect tense verb following indicates consecutive action and best translates as "Then." When waw occurs with the perfect tense verb following, as we have here, it indicates disjunctive action and could read, "Now Abram had believed . . ." (cf. Genesis 1:2). God justified Abram (i.e., declared him righteous) because of his faith.... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:1-21

God Promises an Heir to Abraham and the Land of Canaan for his Descendants. The Promise is Ratified by a CovenantThe passage is from the Primitive source. A somewhat similar account from the Priestly narrative is given in Genesis 17. The repetition shows the importance attached by the compiler of Genesis to these records of the promises as testifying to the divine purposes for the Hebrew people.1. Vision] probably a trance, with the senses dormant, but the mind awake to spiritual impressions:... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 15:6

(6) He believed in the Lord (in Jehovah) . . . —We have here the germ of the doctrine of free justification. Abram was both a holy man and one who proved his faith by his works; but nevertheless the inspired narrator inserts this reflection, not after the history of the offering of Isaac, but in the account of this vision, where all that Abram did was to believe, and for that belief’s sake was accounted righteous before God. For the definite conclusions deduced from this verse by St. Paul see... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 15:1-21

Genesis 15:0 'Read the fifteenth chapter with extreme care. If you have a good memory, learn it by heart from beginning to end; it is one of the most sublime and pregnant passages in the entire compass of ancient literature.' Ruskin, Fors Clarigeva (lxiv). References. XV. 1. J. Parker, Adam, Noah, and Abraham, p. 120. J. Thomas, Myrtle Street Pulpit, vol. ii. p. 341. Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xlix. No. 2814. XV. 2. J. Kelly, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xviii. p. 165. XV. 5, 6. Archbishop... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 15:1-21

COVENANT WITH ABRAMGenesis 15:1-21OF the nine Divine manifestations made during Abram’s life this is the fifth. At Ur, at Kharran, at the oak of Moreh, at the encampment between Bethel and Ai, and now at Mamre, he received guidance and encouragement from God. Different terms are used regarding these manifestations. Sometimes it is said "The Lord appeared unto him"; here for the first time in the course of God’s revelation occurs that expression which afterwards became normal, "The word of the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 15:1-21

CHAPTER 15 The Fourth Communication and the Covenant and the Vision 1. The fourth communication (Genesis 15:1 ) 2. Abram’s answer (Genesis 15:2-3 ) 3. The promised seed (Genesis 15:4-5 ) 4. Abram counted righteous (Genesis 15:6 ) 5. Continued communication (Genesis 15:7-8 ) 6. The divided animals (Genesis 15:9-11 ) 7. The vision (Genesis 15:12-17 ) 8. The covenant made (Genesis 15:18-21 ) The connection with the previous chapter is extremely precious. Abram had honored the Lord... read more