| Romans 4:5
| But to him that worketh not, yet believeth in him that justifieth the impious, his faith is reputed to justice, according to the purpose of the grace of God.
| Abraham, before his vocation, was an idolater, according to Josephus; (Jewish Antiquities, lib. 1:chap. + \fr 4:5\ft Abraham, before his vocation, was an idolater, according to Josephus; (Jewish Antiquities, lib. 1: ch. VIII.) according to some of the Rabbins, and as the Scripture itself seems to insinuate, Josue 24.; Isaias 43.; Wisdom 10.; Judith 5.; Judith 8.) according to some of the Rabbins, and as the Scripture itself seems to insinuate, Josue 24.; Isaias 43.; Wisdom 10.; Judith 5. He did not then merit his vocation to the faith by his works. But when God had called him, and made him depart from his country, when he promised to him an innumerable posterity, Abraham believed in his promises, and it was reputed to him unto justice, that his faith and his justice were the pure gift of God. His faith was not a dead and speculative faith only, but an active faith, a faith animated by charity, as appears from the sequel of his life. (Calmet) Abraham, before his vocation, was an idolater, according to Josephus; (Jewish Antiquities, lib. 1:chap. + \fr 4:5\ft Abraham, before his vocation, was an idolater, according to Josephus; (Jewish Antiquities, lib. 1: ch. VIII.) according to some of the Rabbins, and as the Scripture itself seems to insinuate, Josue 24.; Isaias 43.; Wisdom 10.; Judith 5.; Judith 8.) according to some of the Rabbins, and as the Scripture itself seems to insinuate, Josue 24.; Isaias 43.; Wisdom 10.; Judith 5. He did not then merit his vocation to the faith by his works. But when God had called him, and made him depart from his country, when he promised to him an innumerable posterity, Abraham believed in his promises, and it was reputed to him unto justice, that his faith and his justice were the pure gift of God. His faith was not a dead and speculative faith only, but an active faith, a faith animated by charity, as appears from the sequel of his life. (Calmet)
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