Abraham Justified by Faith

What then can we say that Abraham, our physical ancestor,[a](A) has found? If Abraham was justified[b] by works,(B) he has something to brag about—but not before God.[c] For what does the Scripture say?

Abraham believed God,
and it was credited to him for righteousness.(C)[d]

Now to the one who works,(D) pay is not considered as a gift, but as something owed. But to the one who does not work, but believes on Him who declares the ungodly to be righteous,[e](E) his faith is credited for righteousness.

David Celebrating the Same Truth

Likewise, David also speaks of the blessing of the man God credits righteousness to apart from works:

How joyful are those whose lawless acts are forgiven
and whose sins are covered!
How joyful is the man
the Lord will never charge with sin!(F)[f]

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:1 Lit our ancestor according to the flesh
  2. Romans 4:2 Or was declared righteous, or was acquitted
  3. Romans 4:2 He has no reason for boasting in God’s presence.
  4. Romans 4:3 Gn 15:6
  5. Romans 4:5 Or who acquits, or who justifies
  6. Romans 4:8 Ps 32:1-2

Abraham Justified by Faith

What then shall we say(A) that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh,(B) discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.(C) What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[a](D)

Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift(E) but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.(F) David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”[b](G)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:3 Gen. 15:6; also in verse 22
  2. Romans 4:8 Psalm 32:1,2