Romans 4:2

Romans 4:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
• New International Version (NIV)If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

Context of Romans 4:2

1What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about — but not before God. 3For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness. 4Now to the one who works, pay is not credited as a gift, but as something owed.

Romans 4:2 word by word

εἰ γὰρ Ἀβραὰμ ἐξ ἔργων ἐδικαιώθη, ἔχει καύχημα ἀλλ᾽ οὐ πρὸς θεόν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• ifεἰei · ifG1487
• AbrahamἈβραάμAbraam · AbrahamG11
• were justifiedδικαιόωdikaioō · to justifyG1344
• byἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• worksἔργονergon · workG2041
• he hathἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• to gloryκαύχημαkauchēma · prideG2745
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• notοὐou · noG3756
• beforeπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• Godὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316

Cross-references for Romans 4:2

• Romans 3:20For no one will be justified in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.
• Philippians 3:9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ — the righteousness from God based on faith.
• Romans 3:27Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law of faith.
• Romans 15:17Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus regarding what pertains to God.
• Ezekiel 8:9He said to me, “Go in and see the detestable, wicked acts they are committing here.”
• Jeremiah 9:23“‘This is what the Lord says: The wise person should not boast in his wisdom; the strong should not boast in his strength; the wealthy should not boast in his wealth.
• 1 Corinthians 9:16For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am compelled to preach — and woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
• 2 Corinthians 5:12We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in outward appearance rather than in the heart.
• 2 Corinthians 11:12But I will continue to do what I am doing, in order to deny an opportunity to those who want to be regarded as our equals in what they boast about.
• 2 Corinthians 12:1Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
• Galatians 6:13For even the circumcised don’t keep the law themselves, and yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh.
• Ephesians 2:9not from works, so that no one can boast.
• Genesis 12:12When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ They will kill me but let you live.
• Genesis 20:9Then Abimelech called Abraham in and said to him, “What have you done to us? How did I sin against you that you have brought such enormous guilt on me and on my kingdom? You have done things to me that should never be done.”
• Joshua 24:2Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods.
• 1 Corinthians 1:29so that no one may boast in his presence.

Commentaries on Romans 4:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2For if Abraham were justified by works - The Jew proceeds: - I conclude, therefore, that Abraham was justified by works, or by his obedience to this law of circumcision; and, consequently, he has cause for glorying, , to exult in something which he has done to entitle him to these blessings. Now, it is evident that he has this glorying, and consequently that he was justified by works. Apostle. But not before God - These seem to be the apostle's words, and…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2For if Abraham … - This is the answer of the apostle. If Abraham was justified on the ground of his own merits, he would have reason to boast, or to claim praise. He might regard himself as the author of it, and take the praise to himself; see Romans 4:4. The inquiry, therefore, was, whether in the account of the justification of Abraham, there was to be found any such statement of a reason for self-confidence and boasting. But not before God - In the…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-25First: Abraham was justified by faith. 1-3. What shall we say then that Abraham, our father as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?--that is, (as the order in the original shows), "hath found, as pertaining to ('according to,' or 'through') the flesh"; meaning, "by all his natural efforts or legal obedience."Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 4:2

• Abraham
• Bigotry
• Catholicity
• Faith
• Salvation
• Works

In the dictionaries

• Abraham
• God
• Abraham, Abram
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Flesh
• Impute
• Quicken
• Raise
• Reckon
• Stagger

Commentaries on Romans 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings