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.
• New International Version (NIV)If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—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.

Context of Romans 4:2

1What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Romans 4:2 word by word

εἰ γὰρ Ἀβραὰμ ἐξ ἔργων ἐδικαιώθη, ἔχει καύχημα ἀλλ᾽ οὐ πρὸς θεόν.Read the interlinear

• 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 by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
• Philippians 3:9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
• Romans 3:27Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
• Romans 15:17I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
• Ezekiel 8:9And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here.
• Jeremiah 9:23Thus saith Yhwh, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
• 1 Corinthians 9:16For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
• 2 Corinthians 5:12For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
• 2 Corinthians 11:12But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
• 2 Corinthians 12:1It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
• Galatians 6:13For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
• Ephesians 2:9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
• Genesis 12:12Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
• Genesis 20:9Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.
• Joshua 24:2And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith Yhwh God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the River in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor: and they served other gods.
• 1 Corinthians 1:29That no flesh should glory in his presence.

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