New English Translation
Romans 4:5
5But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness.
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 as righteousness.” 4Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation. But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6So even David himself speaks regarding the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
Read all of Romans 4Romans 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 our sake, to whom it will be credited, those who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
- Romans 3:22namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction,
- Romans 5:1Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
- Romans 10:3For ignoring the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking instead to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
- Acts 13:38Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through this one forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,
- Galatians 2:16yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
- Galatians 3:9So then those who believe are blessed along with Abraham the believer.
- Philippians 3:9and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ’s faithfulness – a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ’s faithfulness.
- Romans 3:26This was also to demonstrate his righteousness in the present time, so that he would be just and the justifier of the one who lives because of Jesus’ faithfulness.
- 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“I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, but has crossed over from death to life.
- Galatians 3:8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel to Abraham ahead of time, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.”
- Romans 1:17For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.”
- Romans 5:6For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
- Joshua 24:2Joshua told all the people, “Here is what the Lord God of Israel says: ‘In the distant past your ancestors lived beyond the Euphrates River, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor. They worshiped other gods,
- Zechariah 3:3Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood there 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
In the dictionaries
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
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