Romans 4:5

Romans 4:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
• New International Version (NIV)However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
• New King James Version (NKJV)But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,

Context of Romans 4:5

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. But to the one who does not work, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited for righteousness. 6Likewise, David also speaks of the blessing of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7Blessed are those whose lawless acts are forgiven and whose sins are covered.

Romans 4:5 word by word

τῷ δὲ μὴ ἐργαζομένῳ, πιστεύοντι δὲ ἐπὶ τὸν δικαιοῦντα τὸν ἀσεβῆ, λογίζεται ἡ πίστις αὐτοῦ εἰς δικαιοσύνην.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• to him that workethἐργάζομαιergazomai · to workG2038
• notμήmē · notG3361
• believethπιστεύωpisteuō · to trust (in)G4100
• onἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• him that justifiethδικαιόωdikaioō · to justifyG1344
• the ungodlyἀσεβήςasebēs · ungodlyG765
• hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102
• is countedλογίζομαιlogizomai · to countG3049
• forεἰςeis · towardG1519
• righteousnessδικαιοσύνηdikaiosunē · righteousnessG1343

Cross-references for Romans 4:5

• Romans 4:24but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
• Romans 3:22The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction.
• Romans 5:1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Romans 10:3Since they are ignorant of the righteousness of God and attempted to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness.
• Acts 13:38Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers and sisters, that through this man forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you.
• Galatians 2:16and yet because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified.
• Galatians 3:9Consequently, those who have faith are blessed with Abraham, who had faith.
• 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 3:26God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be just and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.
• Romans 8:30And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.
• John 5:24“Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.
• Galatians 3:8Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and proclaimed the gospel ahead of time to Abraham, saying, All the nations will be blessed through you.
• Romans 1:17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.
• Romans 5:6For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly.
• 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.
• Zechariah 3:3Now Joshua was dressed with filthy clothes as he stood before the angel.

Commentaries on Romans 4:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5But to him that worketh not - Which was the case with Abraham, for he was called when he was ungodly, i.e. an idolater; and, on his believing, was freely justified: and, as all men have sinned, none can be justified by works; and, therefore, justification, if it take place at all, must take place in behalf of the ungodly, forasmuch as all mankind are such. Now, as Abraham's state and mode in which he was justified, are the plan and rule according to which…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5But to him that worketh not - Who does not rely on his conformity to the Law for his justification; who does not depend on his works; who seeks to be justified in some other way. The reference here is to the Christian plan of justification. But believeth - Note, Romans 3:26. On him - On God. Thus, the connection requires; for the discussion has immediate reference to Abraham, whose faith was in the promise of God. That justifieth the ungodly - This is a…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-5The logic of these verses is as follows: When people work, their pay is what they earn, not a gift. The idea not stated is that God never owes his creatures anything. They owe him everything. So, anything he gives is a gift (see also 9:14–16). The conclusion is that God does not place people in a right relationship with him because of their works.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 4-54-5. Now to him that worketh--as a servant for wages. is the reward not reckoned of grace--as a matter of favor. but of debt--as a matter of right.Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 4:5

• Abraham
• Bigotry
• Catholicity
• Faith
• Grace of God
• Justification
• Righteousness
• Salvation
• Works

In the dictionaries

• Flesh
• Impute
• Quicken
• Raise
• Reckon
• Stagger
• Unbelief
• Void
• Bible, the
• Galatians, Epistle to the

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