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.
• 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,
• New Living Translation (NLT)But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.

Context of Romans 4:5

3For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." 4Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7"Blessed are those whose lawless deeds 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 for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord,
• Romans 3:22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For 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 10:3For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.
• Acts 13:38Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,
• Galatians 2:16yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
• Galatians 3:9So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
• Philippians 3:9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
• Romans 3:26It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
• Romans 8:30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
• John 5:24Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
• Galatians 3:8And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed."
• Romans 1:17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."
• Romans 5:6For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
• Joshua 24:2And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods.
• Zechariah 3:3Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments.

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