Romans 4:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness."

NIV: What does Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

NASB: For what does the Scripture say? 'ABRAHAM BELIEVED God, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.'

CSB: For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness.

NLT: For the Scriptures tell us, 'Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.'

KJV: For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

NKJV: For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Paul is making a case that no human being has ever been justified—made right with God—by following the works of the law. This is primarily aimed at Jewish readers and those who have heard the arguments of the Jewish religious leaders.

Now he points to Abraham as a prime example, using Old Testament Scripture as his source. According to Scripture, Abraham was not justified by what he did: by his works. Instead, God credited Abraham as righteous when he believed and for believing (Genesis 15:6). It was faith in God, not his own works, which allowed Abraham to be justified before God.

Paul made this very same argument to the Christians in the region of Galatia (Galatians 3:6). They were being persuaded by a group known as the "Judaizers" that they must be circumcised and follow the law, in addition to believing in Christ, in order to be truly saved. Paul used the example of Abraham in that letter, as well, to show that this argument was false.

Romans 4:1–12 focuses on the faith of Abraham, referenced by Paul to further his case about faith. God only declares people righteous based on their faith in Him. David, as well, describes those against whom God will not count their sin as ''blessed.'' Paul insists that this blessing of being declared righteous by God is available to both the circumcised and the uncircumcised. After all, God declared Abraham righteous long before he was circumcised. In that way, he became the spiritual father of both the believing Gentiles and the believing Jews.

Romans 4 is all about the faith of Abraham. God declared Abraham righteous because of his faith, not because of his works. A declaration of righteousness was God's gift, not a payment. This righteousness is available to everyone, circumcised or not. God declared Abraham righteous many years before he was circumcised, making him the spiritual father of all who believe, whether circumcised or not, whether Jew or Gentile. God's promises to Abraham and his offspring can't be received by keeping the law, only by faith. Abraham's faith in God's promise of a son with Sarah did not waver even as he grew older. God will declare us righteous, as well, if by faith we believe in the God who delivered Jesus to die for our sins and raised Him back to life for our justification.

So far, this letter has established that every single person is guilty of sin and does not deserve God's forgiveness. Whether we know God's law explicitly, or not, we still fail to obey. Only faith in Christ can rescue us from the penalty we deserve for that sin. Romans 4 explores the example of Abraham, and God's amazing gift of declaring Abraham righteous solely on the basis of his faith. This declaration was given many years before Abraham was circumcised, causing Abraham to become the father of all who believe God by faith. Abraham's continued faith in God is a model for us. Romans will continue by exploring how Christ brings us peace with God.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.

Accessed 11/21/2024 11:26:23 AM