Romans 4:1-5

Context

The Illustration of Justification

4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh,¹ has discovered regarding this matter?² 4:2 For if Abraham was declared righteous³ by the works of the law, he has something to boast about – but not before God. 4:3 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited⁴ to him as righteousness.”⁵ 4:4 Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation.⁶ 4:5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous,⁷ his faith is credited as righteousness.

[4:1] ¹tn Or “according to natural descent” (BDAG 916 s.v. σάρξ 4).

[4:1] ²tn Grk “has found?”

[4:2] ³tn Or “was justified.”

[4:3] ⁴tn The term λογίζομαι (logizomai) occurs 11 times in this chapter (vv. 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22, 23, 24). In secular usage it could (a) refer to deliberations of some sort, or (b) in commercial dealings (as virtually a technical term) to “reckoning” or “charging up a debt.” See H. W. Heidland, TDNT 4:284, 290-92.

[4:3] ⁵sn A quotation from Gen 15:6.

[4:4] ⁶tn Grk “not according to grace but according to obligation.”

[4:5] ⁷tn Or “who justifies the ungodly.”