Romans 4:3
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The core of this verse isn't just that Abraham believed, but that his belief, as a response to God's promise, was counted as righteousness. This means God didn't see Abraham's faith itself as a perfect moral achievement, but rather treated him as righteous because he trusted God's word. This highlights that righteousness isn't earned by our actions, but graciously credited to us by God through faith.
Paul is arguing that salvation is not earned by following the Law, but received as a gift through faith, just like Abraham. He anticipates an objection that if this is true, then Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, must have been justified by works. To counter this, Paul immediately appeals to the foundational story of Abraham's faith in Genesis, demonstrating that even Abraham was counted righteous based on his belief, not his deeds.
We often think righteousness comes from 'doing good.' But what if God counts something else as righteous?
The Apostle Paul is making a critical point here, directly addressing anyone who thinks they can earn God's favor through their own efforts. He asks, 'What does the Scripture say?' and immediately points to Abraham, the very example the Jews boasted about.
Instead of finding anything about Abraham's actions or deeds, Paul highlights a foundational truth: 'Abraham believed God.' This wasn't about following a perfect set of rules; it was about trusting the One who makes the rules.
This focus on belief is crucial because it sets up a contrast with justification by works. If righteousness were earned through our actions, it would be a debt God owes us. But faith, Paul will go on to show, is different. It's not about earning, but receiving.
What does it truly mean for something to be 'counted' or 'reckoned' as righteousness?
The phrase 'it was counted to him as righteousness' is profound! It means God didn't just see Abraham's faith and think 'he's okay.' Instead, God credited Abraham with a righteousness that wasn't his own in a merit-based sense.
Think of it like a divine accounting. God takes Abraham's act of trusting Him and treats it as if it were perfect righteousness. This isn't a deception; it's a forensic declaration by God, the ultimate Judge.
Later, Paul will explain that this imputed righteousness, in the case of believers today, is the righteousness of Christ Himself, which God credits to us through our faith. Abraham's faith was the hand that received God's promise, and God declared that trusting embrace as righteousness.
Understand the original words
graphē · Greek Noun
The holy, inspired writings of the Old and New Testaments that serve as the authoritative standard for faith and practice.
pisteuō · Greek Verb
To trust, rely upon, or commit oneself entirely to God and His promises; it is the instrument through which one receives justification.
logizomai · Greek Verb
A legal or accounting term denoting that something is credited to one's account; used theologically to describe the imputation of righteousness to the believer.
dikaiosynē · Greek Noun
The state of moral rectitude and conformity to God's standard; it is the gift of God bestowed upon believers through faith.
This verse anchors Paul's argument in Genesis, showing that Abraham, the revered father of the Jewish people, was declared righteous by God through faith decades before the Mosaic Law and even before the sign of circumcision, establishing a precedent for justification by faith alone.
c. 2090 BC
Abraham called by God
God calls Abraham from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to a land God will show him, promising to make him a great nation and bless the world through him. Abraham obeys and journeys with his family.
c. 2085 BC
God's promise of seed to Abraham
After Abraham arrives in Canaan, God appears to him and reiterates His promise of an heir, stating 'So shall your offspring be.' This occurs while Abraham is still childless.
c. 2080 BC— this verse
Abraham believes God's promise
In response to God's repeated promises and despite his own circumstances, Abraham believes the Lord, trusting that God will fulfill His word. Scripture records this pivotal moment.
c. 2080 BC
Faith counted as righteousness
The Scriptures explicitly state that Abraham's act of believing God was credited to him as righteousness, establishing faith as the basis of his right standing with God.
This is the original Old Testament passage that Paul quotes, establishing Abraham's faith as the foundation for his righteousness.
Galatians 3:6Paul uses the exact same verse from Genesis to make the same argument in Galatians, emphasizing that justification comes through faith, not the Law.
Hebrews 11:8This chapter, the 'Hall of Faith,' highlights Abraham's obedience that stemmed from his faith, demonstrating how faith leads to action and trust in God's promises.
James 2:23James also quotes this verse, but he connects Abraham's faith to his works, showing that true faith is demonstrated through actions, complementing Paul's emphasis on faith as the means of justification.
henryRomans 4:1-12: "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?"
4:1-12 To meet the views of the Jews, the apostle first refers to the example of Abraham, in whom the Jews gloried as their most renowned forefather. However exalted in various respects, he had nothing to boast in the presence of God, being saved by grace, through faith, even as others. Without noticing the years which passed before his call, and the failures at times in his obedience, and e…
pulpitRomans 4:3: "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."
Verse 3. - For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned Unto him for righteousness. This notable text (Genesis 15:6), declaring the ground of Abraham's acceptance, is similarly quoted in the cognate passage, Galatians 3:6. It has a peculiar cogency in the general argument from being in connection with, and with reference to, one of the Divine promises to Ab…
The core of this verse isn't just that Abraham believed, but that his belief, as a response to God's promise, was counted as righteousness. This means God didn't see Abraham's faith itself as a perfect moral achievement, but rather treated him as righteous because he trusted God's word. This highlights that righteousness isn't earned by our actions, but graciously credited to us by God through faith.
Paul is arguing that salvation is not earned by following the Law, but received as a gift through faith, just like Abraham. He anticipates an objection that if this is true, then Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, must have been justified by works. To counter this, Paul immediately appeals to the foundational story of Abraham's faith in Genesis, demonstrating that even Abraham was counted righteous based on his belief, not his deeds.
Paul is arguing that salvation is not earned by following the Law, but received as a gift through faith, just like Abraham. He anticipates an objection that if this is true, then Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, must have been justified by works. To counter this, Paul immediately appeals to the foundational story of Abraham's faith in Genesis, demonstrating that even Abraham was counted righteous based on his belief, not his deeds.
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c. 2077 BC
Circumcision instituted
God establishes circumcision as a sign of His covenant with Abraham, occurring several years after Abraham's faith was counted as righteousness. This highlights that the covenant sign was not the basis of his justification.
"For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”" — The core of this verse isn't just that Abraham believed, but that his belief, as a response to God's promise, was counted as righteousness. This means God didn't see Abraham's faith itself as a per…
