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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way.

Context of Romans 4:2

1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.

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 3:20Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
• Philippians 3:9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
• Romans 3:27Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith.
• Romans 15:17Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.
• Ezekiel 8:9And he said to me, “Go in and see the wicked and detestable things they are doing here.”
• Jeremiah 9:23This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,
• 1 Corinthians 9:16For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
• 2 Corinthians 5:12We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.
• 2 Corinthians 11:12And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.
• 2 Corinthians 12:1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
• Galatians 6:13Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.
• Ephesians 2:9not by works, so that no one can boast.
• Genesis 12:12When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live.
• Genesis 20:9Then Abimelek called Abraham in and said, “What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and 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 before him.

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