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Romans 4:5

But to the one who does not work [that is, the one who does not try to earn his salvation by doing good], but believes and completely trusts in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God).

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Abraham;   Bigotry;   Catholicity;   Faith;   Grace of God;   Justification;   Righteousness;   Salvation;   Works;   Scofield Reference Index - Grace;   Imputation;   Righteousness;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Grace;   Reward of Saints, the;   Righteousness Imputed;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Abraham;   Boasting;   Faith;   Grace;   Justification;   Law;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Baptize, Baptism;   Genesis, Theology of;   Justification;   Law;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Justification;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Impute;   Justification;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Church;   Faith;   Impute, Imputation;   Justification;   Old Testament Quotations in the New Testament;   Righteousness;   Romans, Book of;   Works;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Grace;   Hebrews, Epistle to;   Justification, Justify;   Law;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Atonement (2);   Justification;   Justification (2);   Law;   Propitiation (2);   Righteous, Righteousness;   Romans Epistle to the;   Ungodliness ;   Will;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Righteousness;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Impute;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Bind;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Justification;   Methodists;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Imputation;   Justification;   Salvation;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Saul of Tarsus;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for May 6;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
But people cannot do any work that will make them right with God. So they must trust in him. Then he accepts their faith, and that makes them right with him. He is the one who makes even evil people right.
Revised Standard Version
And to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
To him that worketh not but beleveth on him that iustifieth the vngodly is his fayth counted for rightewesnes.
Hebrew Names Version
But to him who doesn't work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.
International Standard Version
However, to someone who does not work, but simply believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.Joshua 24:2;">[xr]
New American Standard Bible
But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,
New Century Version
But people cannot do any work that will make them right with God. So they must trust in him, who makes even evil people right in his sight. Then God accepts their faith, and that makes them right with him.
Update Bible Version
But to him that does not work, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.
Webster's Bible Translation
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
English Standard Version
And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
World English Bible
But to him who doesn't work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is imputed to him for righteousness.
Weymouth's New Testament
whereas in the case of a man who pleads no actions of his own, but simply believes in Him who declares the ungodly free from guilt, his faith is placed to his credit as righteousness.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Sotheli to hym that worchith not, but bileueth in to hym that iustefieth a wickid man, his feith is arettid to riytwisnesse, aftir the purpos of Goddis grace.
English Revised Version
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.
Berean Standard Bible
However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.
Contemporary English Version
But you cannot make God accept you because of something you do. God accepts sinners only because they have faith in him.
American Standard Version
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.
Bible in Basic English
But to him who without working has faith in him who gives righteousness to the evil-doer, his faith is put to his account as righteousness.
Complete Jewish Bible
However, in the case of one who is not working but rather is trusting in him who makes ungodly people righteous, his trust is credited to him as righteousness.
Darby Translation
but to him who does not work, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.
Etheridge Translation
but to him who worketh not, but believeth only in him who justifieth sinners, his faith is reckoned to him for righteousness.
Murdock Translation
Whereas, to him that worketh not, but only believeth in him that justifieth sinners, his faith is accounted to him for righteousness.
King James Version (1611)
But to him that worketh not, but beleeueth on him that iustifieth the vngodly; his faith is counted for righteousnesse.
New Living Translation
But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.
New Life Bible
If a man has not worked to be saved, but has put his trust in God Who saves men from the punishment of their sins, that man is made right with God because of his trust in God.
New Revised Standard
But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.
Geneva Bible (1587)
But to him that worketh not, but beleeueth in him that iustifieth the vngodly, his faith is counted for righteousnesse.
George Lamsa Translation
And to him who works not, but only believes in him who justifies sinners, his faith is counted for righteousness.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Whereas, unto him that worketh not but believeth on him that declareth righteous the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But to him that worketh not, yet believeth in him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reputed to justice, according to the purpose of the grace of God.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
To hym that worketh not, but beleueth on hym that iustifieth the vngodly, his fayth is counted for ryghteousnes.
Good News Translation
But those who depend on faith, not on deeds, and who believe in the God who declares the guilty to be innocent, it is this faith that God takes into account in order to put them right with himself.
Christian Standard Bible®
But to the one who does not work, but believes on him who declares the ungodly to be righteous, his faith is credited for righteousness.
King James Version
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Lexham English Bible
But to the one who does not work, but who believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited for righteousness,
Literal Translation
But to the one not working, but believing on Him justifying the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Young's Literal Translation
and to him who is not working, and is believing upon Him who is declaring righteous the impious, his faith is reckoned -- to righteousness:
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
owbeit vnto him, yt goeth not aboute with workes, but beleueth on him yt iustifieth the vngodly, is his faith counted for righteousnes.
Mace New Testament (1729)
whereas he that trusts in God to be made righteous, tho' he has not done such actions, shall find his faith accounted as righteousness.
New English Translation
But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness.
New King James Version
But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
Simplified Cowboy Version
But what God offers can't be earned, only gifted. And this gift comes through faith and trust in God.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,
Legacy Standard Bible
But to the one who does not work, but believes upon Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

Contextual Overview

1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather humanly speaking, has found? [Has he obtained a favored standing?] 2For if Abraham was justified [that is, acquitted from the guilt of his sins] by works [those things he did that were good], he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED IN (trusted, relied on) GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIS ACCOUNT AS RIGHTEOUSNESS (right living, right standing with God)." 4Now to a laborer, his wages are not credited as a favor or a gift, but as an obligation [something owed to him]. 5But to the one who does not work [that is, the one who does not try to earn his salvation by doing good], but believes and completely trusts in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God).6And in this same way David speaks of the blessing on the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7"BLESSED and HAPPY and FAVORED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS ACTS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED UP and COMPLETELY BURIED. 8"BLESSED and HAPPY and FAVORED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT nor CHARGE AGAINST HIM."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

But to: Romans 4:24, Romans 4:25, Romans 3:22, Romans 5:1, Romans 5:2, Romans 10:3, Romans 10:9, Romans 10:10, Acts 13:38, Acts 13:39, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 2:17, Galatians 3:9-14, Philippians 3:9

believeth: Romans 4:24, Romans 3:26-30, Romans 8:30-34, John 5:24, Galatians 3:8

ungodly: Romans 1:17, Romans 1:18, Romans 5:6-8, Joshua 24:2, Zechariah 3:3, Zechariah 3:4, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:13-15, Titus 3:3-7

his faith: Romans 4:3, Habakkuk 2:4

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 15:7 - your work Proverbs 17:15 - that justifieth Luke 7:42 - he Luke 18:14 - justified John 6:29 - This Romans 3:28 - General Romans 11:6 - And if 1 Corinthians 6:11 - but ye are justified Galatians 3:12 - the law Galatians 5:4 - justified Ephesians 2:8 - through Colossians 3:24 - ye shall Titus 2:11 - the grace Titus 3:5 - by works Titus 3:8 - which

Cross-References

Genesis 4:10
The LORD said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's [innocent] blood is crying out to Me from the ground [for justice].
Genesis 4:11
"And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's [shed] blood from your hand.
Genesis 31:2
Jacob noticed [a change in] the attitude of Laban, and saw that it was not friendly toward him as before.
Genesis 31:5
and he said to them, "I see [a change in] your father's attitude, that he is not friendly toward me as [he was] before; but the God of my father [Isaac] has been with me.
Numbers 16:15
Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, "Pay no attention to their offering! I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I harmed any one of them."
Job 5:2
"For anger slays the foolish man, And jealousy kills the simple (naive).
Psalms 20:3
May He remember all your meal offerings And accept your burnt offering. Selah.
Matthew 20:15
'Am I not lawfully permitted to do what I choose with what is mine? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?'
Acts 13:45
But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things said by Paul, and were slandering him.
Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which it was testified of him that he was righteous (upright, in right standing with God), and God testified by accepting his gifts. And though he died, yet through [this act of] faith he still speaks.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But to him that worketh not,.... Not that the believer does not work at all, but not from such principles, and with such views as the other; he does not work in order to obtain life and salvation; he does not seek for justification by his doings:

but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly: or that ungodly one: particular reference is had to Abraham, who in his state of unregeneracy was an ungodly person; as all God's elect are in a state of nature, and are such when God justifies them, being without a righteousness of their own; wherefore he imputes the righteousness of another, even that of his own Son, unto them: and though he justifies the ungodly, he does not justify their ungodliness, but them from it; nor will he, nor does he leave them to live and die in it; now to him that worketh not, that is perfect righteousness; or has no opportunity of working at all; or what he does, he does not do, that he might be justified by it; but exercises faith on God as justifying persons, who, like himself, are sinners, ungodly and destitute of a righteousness:

his faith is counted for righteousness; not the act, but the object of it; which was Abraham's case, and therefore was not justified by works. The Vulgate Latin version here adds, "according to the purpose of the grace of God".

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But 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 very important expression. It implies,

(1) That people are sinners, or are ungodly.

(2) That God regards them as such when they are justified. He does not justify them because he sees them to be, or regards them to be righteous; but knowing that they are in fact polluted. He does not first esteem them, contrary to fact, to be pure; but knowing that they are polluted, and that they deserve no favor, he resolves to forgive them, and to treat them as his friends.

(3) In themselves they are equally undeserving, whether they are justified or not. Their souls have been defiled by sin; and that is known when they are pardoned. God judges things as they are; and sinners who are justified, he judges not as if they were pure, or as if they had a claim; but he regards them as united by faith to the Lord Jesus; and in this relation he judges that they should be treated as his friends, though they have been, are, and always will be, personally undeserving. It is not meant that the righteousness of Christ is transferred to them, so as to become personally theirs - for moral character cannot be transferred; nor that it is infused into them, making them personally meritorious - for then they could not be spoken of as ungodly; but that Christ died in their stead, to atone for their sins, and is regarded and esteemed by God to have died; and that the results or benefits of his death are so reckoned or imputed to believers as to make it proper for God to regard and treat them as if they had themselves obeyed the Law; that is, as righteous in his sight; see the note at Romans 4:3.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Romans 4:5. But 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 God purposes to save men; and as his state was ungodly, and the mode of his justification was by faith in the goodness and mercy of God; and this is precisely the state of Jews and Gentiles at present; there can be no other mode of justification than by faith in that Christ who is Abraham's seed, and in whom, according to the promise, all the nations of the earth are to be blessed.

It is necessary to observe here, in order to prevent confusion and misapprehension, that although the verb δικαιοω has a variety of senses in the New Testament, yet here it is to be taken as implying the pardon of sin; receiving a person into the favour of God. See these different acceptations cited in Clarke's note on "Romans 1:17", and particularly under No. 7. It is also necessary to observe, that our translators render the verb λογιζομαι differently in different parts of this chapter. It is rendered counted, Romans 4:3; Romans 4:5; reckoned, Romans 4:4; Romans 4:9-10; imputed, Romans 4:6; Romans 4:8; Romans 4:11; Romans 4:22-24. Reckoned is probably the best sense in all these places.


 
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