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 the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” 4When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. 6David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it: 7“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight.

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 4:24for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
• Romans 3:22We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
• Romans 5:1Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
• Romans 10:3For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law.
• Acts 13:38“Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins.
• Galatians 2:16Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.”
• Galatians 3:9So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.
• Philippians 3:9and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.
• Romans 3:26for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
• Romans 8:30And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
• John 5:24“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.
• Galatians 3:8What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.”
• Romans 1:17This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
• Romans 5:6When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
• Joshua 24:2Joshua said to 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 they worshiped other gods.
• Zechariah 3:3Jeshua’s clothing was filthy 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

• 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