Romans 4:22

KJV

And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} therefore {G1352} it was imputed {G3049} to him {G846} for {G1519} righteousness {G1343}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is why it was credited to his account as righteousness.

Berean Standard Bible

This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”

American Standard Version

Wherefore also it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 4:22 serves as a pivotal summary statement in Paul's exposition on justification, affirming that Abraham's unwavering faith in God's promise was divinely credited to him as righteousness, establishing a foundational principle for how humanity is declared righteous before a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes Paul's detailed argument in [Romans 4:18-21](/romans/4-18-21 "Romans 4:18-21 - Abraham's Unwavering Faith") regarding Abraham's extraordinary faith. Paul highlights Abraham's belief in God's promise of numerous descendants despite his and Sarah's advanced age and physical incapacities, emphasizing that Abraham "did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised" ([Romans 4:20-21](/romans/4-20-21 "Romans 4:20-21 - Abraham's Faith and God's Power")). Verse 22 directly follows this description, presenting the divine response to such faith: it was "imputed to him for righteousness." This statement then sets the stage for Paul to generalize Abraham's experience to all believers, both Jew and Gentile, in [Romans 4:23-25](/romans/4-23-25 "Romans 4:23-25 - Righteousness for All Who Believe").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul is writing to a diverse church in Rome, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers. A significant tension existed regarding the basis of salvation and righteousness—whether it was through adherence to the Mosaic Law and circumcision (as many Jewish Christians believed) or solely through faith in Christ. By appealing to Abraham, the revered patriarch of Israel, Paul strategically demonstrates that even before the Law was given (see [Galatians 3:17](/galatians/3-17 "The Law and the Promise")), God's method of declaring people righteous was through faith. This argument directly challenges the prevailing Jewish understanding that righteousness was attained through works of the Law, aligning with the Old Testament narrative where Abraham's faith was explicitly "counted" as righteousness in [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham's Faith Counted as Righteousness").
* **Key Themes:** [Romans 4:22](/romans/4-22 "Romans 4:22 - Faith Imputed as Righteousness") encapsulates several central themes of Paul's theology in Romans. Foremost is the theme of **justification by faith**, which asserts that human beings are declared righteous by God not on the basis of their works or adherence to a legal code, but solely through their trust and reliance on God's promises. This verse also underscores the theme of **imputed righteousness**, a forensic declaration where God credits righteousness to an individual's account, rather than it being an inherent quality or earned merit. Furthermore, Abraham serves as the **paradigm of faith**, demonstrating that the path to righteousness has always been consistent across redemptive history, applicable to all who believe, transcending ethnic or legal distinctions, as seen throughout [Romans 4](/romans/4 "Romans 4 - Justification by Faith Exemplified by Abraham").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **therefore (Greek, _dió'_):** From *dia* (through) and *hos* (which), meaning "through which thing" or "consequently." In this context, it functions as a strong logical connector, indicating that the imputation of righteousness is a direct result or consequence of Abraham's demonstrated faith described in the preceding verses. It underscores the cause-and-effect relationship between Abraham's belief and God's declaration.
* **imputed (Greek, _logízomai'_):** A middle voice verb meaning "to take an inventory," "estimate," "reckon," "count," or "put to someone's account." It is an accounting term, signifying a transfer or crediting of something to an account. Here, it means that righteousness was not inherently possessed by Abraham as a result of his actions, but rather it was graciously credited or assigned to his spiritual account by God because of his faith. This forensic act is central to the doctrine of justification.
* **righteousness (Greek, _dikaiosýnē'_):** From *dikaios* (just, righteous), referring to equity of character or act, and specifically in Christian theology, "justification." It denotes a state of being right or just in the sight of God. In this verse, it is the divine declaration of a person's right standing before God, not based on their own moral perfection, but on God's gracious imputation. It is a legal verdict of "not guilty" and "righteous" in God's divine court.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And therefore":** This opening phrase, utilizing the Greek *kai dio*, acts as a crucial logical bridge, linking the conclusion of Abraham's faith described in [Romans 4:18-21](/romans/4-18-21 "Romans 4:18-21 - Abraham's Unwavering Faith") directly to the divine response. It emphasizes that what follows is a direct consequence of Abraham's unwavering trust in God's promises.
* **"it was imputed to him":** The "it" refers to Abraham's faith, specifically his belief in God's ability to fulfill His seemingly impossible promise of a son and numerous descendants. The verb "imputed" (Greek: *elogisthē*, a form of *logízomai*) signifies a divine act of crediting or reckoning. It means that God, in His sovereign grace, accounted Abraham's faith as the basis for a declaration of righteousness, rather than any works or merits of Abraham himself. This is a forensic, legal declaration, not a transformation of Abraham's inner character at that moment, but a change in his standing before God.
* **"for righteousness":** This phrase, using the Greek preposition *eis* (to or into), indicates the purpose or result of the imputation. Abraham's faith was not righteousness itself, nor was it a work that earned righteousness. Rather, his faith was the means *through which* God declared him righteous. It points to the objective of God's act: to establish Abraham in a right standing with Himself, a standing that was entirely a gift of grace received by faith.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's concise statement in [Romans 4:22](/romans/4-22 "Romans 4:22 - Faith Imputed as Righteousness") is rich with literary and rhetorical force. The primary device is **Argumentation**, as this verse serves as the logical conclusion to his detailed exposition of Abraham's faith, reinforcing his broader theological point about justification. Paul employs **Exemplum**, using Abraham as the quintessential model to illustrate a universal principle—that righteousness is obtained through faith, not works. This historical example lends undeniable authority and weight to his argument, especially for his Jewish audience. Furthermore, the verse relies on **Theological Terminology**, particularly the precise use of "imputed" (*logízomai*) and "righteousness" (*dikaiosýnē*). These terms are not merely descriptive but carry specific theological weight, functioning as a kind of **Legal Metaphor** drawn from the world of accounting and legal declarations, effectively conveying God's forensic act of declaring a person righteous.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 4:22 stands as a cornerstone in Paul's articulation of the doctrine of justification by faith, revealing God's consistent method of relating to humanity across redemptive history. It underscores that righteousness before God is not earned through human effort, adherence to law, or ritual performance, but is a gracious gift received through faith. Abraham's experience, recorded centuries before the Mosaic Law, demonstrates that God's declaration of "righteous" is a forensic act, crediting a right standing to those who believe, rather than an inherent quality achieved by works. This principle profoundly reshapes our understanding of salvation, shifting the focus from human merit to divine grace and the object of faith.

* [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham's Faith Accounted for Righteousness")
* [Galatians 3:6](/galatians/3-6 "Galatians 3:6 - Abraham's Faith and the Spirit")
* [James 2:23](/james/2-23 "James 2:23 - Abraham's Faith and Works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 4:22 offers profound spiritual comfort and practical guidance for believers today. In a world that often measures worth by achievement, performance, or adherence to rules, this verse radically reorients our understanding of our standing before God. It assures us that our acceptance by the Creator of the universe is not contingent upon our perfect obedience, flawless character, or religious rituals, but solely upon God's gracious act of crediting righteousness to us when we place our faith in Him. This truth liberates us from the exhausting burden of trying to earn God's favor and invites us into a relationship founded on grace. It cultivates humility, profound gratitude, and a confident assurance in our salvation, knowing that our "righteousness" is not our own, but a divine gift. This understanding should inspire us to live lives of joyful obedience, not *for* salvation, but *from* salvation, motivated by love and gratitude for such an immeasurable gift.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "imputed righteousness" challenge your natural inclination to earn or achieve your standing with God?**
* **What practical difference does it make in your daily life to know that your righteousness is a gift, not a performance?**
* **How can understanding Abraham's example of faith strengthen your own trust in God's seemingly impossible promises?**

### FAQ
**What does "imputed" mean in the context of Romans 4:22?**

Answer: In [Romans 4:22](/romans/4-22 "Romans 4:22 - Faith Imputed as Righteousness"), "imputed" (from the Greek *logízomai*) is an accounting or legal term. It means that something is credited or reckoned to someone's account. In this case, God graciously credited or assigned righteousness to Abraham's spiritual account, not because Abraham earned it through perfect works, but because he believed God's promises. It's a forensic declaration, a divine verdict that declares a person righteous in God's sight, even though they are not inherently righteous in themselves. This concept is foundational to understanding how believers are justified before God through faith in Christ, as seen in passages like [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 4:22, while focusing on Abraham, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Abraham's faith was "imputed to him for righteousness" because he believed God's promise, a promise that ultimately pointed to the coming Messiah. For believers today, the "it" that is imputed for righteousness is not merely our faith as an act, but the perfect righteousness of Christ Himself, received through faith. Just as Abraham looked forward in faith to God's promised deliverer, we look back in faith to Christ, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Paul explicitly connects this in [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us") where he states, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Our faith in Christ's atoning work on the cross and His resurrection ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Jesus Our Justification")) is the means by which God imputes Christ's perfect righteousness to our account, declaring us just and righteous in His sight. Thus, Abraham's experience is a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of the New Testament reality of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the one who truly embodies and provides all righteousness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 4:3

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Romans 4:6

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,