Romans 4:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;

NIV: "Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

NASB: 'BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED.

CSB: Blessed are those whose lawless acts are forgiven and whose sins are covered.

NLT: 'Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight.

KJV: Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

NKJV: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered;

Paul is quoting from King David, a hero of the people of Israel. His purpose is to show that Old Testament Scriptures have always pointed to faith—not good works or deeds—as the path to being declared righteous by God as his gift to those who believe.

David wrote these words in Psalm 32:1–2. He says that those whose lawless deeds or transgressions are forgiven—those whose sin is covered—are "blessed." In other words, they have received a good thing, as a gift of grace. This forgiveness has not been earned by good works. David makes no mention of earning or working for this result. Forgiveness cannot be earned. Forgiveness can only be given, in this case by God.

Paul is connecting David's words about forgiveness with a statement in Genesis 15:6. There, Abraham's believing God is what caused God to count him as righteous (Romans 4:3). As shown by Paul, both Abraham and David demonstrate that the person being forgiven and declared righteous has earned nothing and has been given everything.

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 9:58:51 AM