Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 4:5

5. But to him that worketh not , but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly , his faith is counted for righteousness .

i. e. To him that Worketh, not to the end or intent before-mentioned, or with respect to Justification, but takes the other way to be Justified and Saved, and that is the way of Believing.

That makes him, who is wicked in himself, Just and Righteous in Christ, or Justifies him that was ungodly; but after Justification is made Godly. By ungodly, some would understand such as want that Perfection of Godliness, as they may build the Hopes of Justification upon; because the Proposition is drawn from the Instance of Abraham, a Man not void of Godliness.

Not considered in its self as a Work, but in relation to Christ, the Object of it; and as an Act of Receiving and Applying him; as Eating nourisheth, though it be the Meat that doth it. So▪ &c.