Romans 4:23

KJV

¶ Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} it was {G1125} not {G3756} written {G1125} for his sake {G1223}{G846} alone {G3440}, that {G3754} it was imputed {G3049} to him {G846};

Complete Jewish Bible

But the words, “it was credited to his account . . . ,” were not written for him only.

Berean Standard Bible

Now the words “it was credited to him” were written not only for Abraham,

American Standard Version

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 4:23 serves as a pivotal statement in Paul's exposition on justification by faith, asserting that the biblical record of Abraham's righteousness being credited to him was not merely a historical anecdote for Abraham's benefit, but a divinely inspired truth written with a broader, universal purpose: to establish the enduring principle by which all believers, across all generations, are declared righteous by God through faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 4:23 stands as a concluding summary and transition within Paul's profound theological argument concerning justification. Having meticulously demonstrated in [Romans 4:1-22](/romans/4-1-22 "Romans 4:1-22 - Abraham Justified by Faith") that Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, was justified by faith and not by works of the Law or circumcision, Paul now explicitly states the universal applicability of this foundational truth. He has already quoted [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham's Faith Reckoned as Righteousness") ("Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness") multiple times to underscore that righteousness is a divine imputation, not a human achievement. Verse 23 acts as a bridge, moving from the specific example of Abraham to the general principle that applies to all who would believe in Christ, setting the stage for the full articulation of this truth in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the 1st-century Roman world, particularly within Jewish thought, righteousness was often understood as conformity to the Mosaic Law and adherence to its precepts, including circumcision. Paul's argument directly challenges this prevailing understanding by pointing to Abraham, who lived centuries before the Law was given and whose righteousness was credited through faith. This was revolutionary, as it opened the door for Gentiles to be included in God's covenant people on the same basis as Jews—faith, not ethnic or legalistic distinctions. The concept of "imputation" (crediting something to an account) was familiar in both legal and commercial contexts of the ancient world, making Paul's theological point about God crediting righteousness to believers by faith a powerful and understandable metaphor for his audience, both Jewish and Gentile.
* **Key Themes:** Romans 4:23 profoundly contributes to several key themes woven throughout Romans. Firstly, it reinforces the **Universal Scope of Salvation**, demonstrating that God's plan of justification by faith is not limited to a specific ethnic group or historical period, but is applicable to all people who exercise faith in Him, echoing themes found in [Romans 3:29-30](/romans/3-29-30 "Romans 3:29-30 - God, the God of Jews and Gentiles"). Secondly, it highlights the **Purpose and Authority of Scripture**, asserting that Old Testament narratives are not mere historical accounts but divinely inspired texts intended to reveal enduring theological truths for all generations of believers. The example of Abraham in [Genesis](/genesis/12 "The Book of Genesis") is presented as a foundational pattern for understanding God's method of salvation. Thirdly, it underscores the **Continuity of God's Plan of Justification**, showing that God's way of declaring people righteous has always been consistent—through faith—linking the experience of Abraham to that of New Testament believers and affirming the unified nature of God's redemptive work across history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **written (Greek, _gráphō'_):** This verb, G1125, meaning "to grave" or "to write," refers to the act of recording something permanently, typically in Scripture. In this context, it emphasizes the divine inspiration and enduring authority of the Old Testament account of Abraham. The fact that it "was written" signifies its authoritative status as God's revealed truth, intended to instruct and guide future generations, not merely to document a past event.
* **alone (Greek, _mónon'_):** Derived from G3440, this adverb means "merely" or "only." Its use here is crucial for Paul's argument, as it negates the idea that Abraham's justification was an isolated, unique case. By stating it was "not written for his sake alone," Paul immediately broadens the scope of Abraham's experience, transforming it from a singular historical event into a universal theological principle that applies to all who share Abraham's faith.
* **imputed (Greek, _logízomai'_):** This verb, G3049, is a central theological term in Romans 4. It is a financial or legal term meaning "to reckon," "to credit," "to count," or "to attribute" something to someone's account. It signifies a declarative act where something is officially registered or considered to be true, even if it is not inherently possessed. In the context of righteousness, it means God legally credits or attributes righteousness to a person's account, not because they have earned it, but because of their faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now it was not written for his sake alone,"**: This opening clause, introduced by "Now" (G1161, _dé_), signals a transition and an amplification of the preceding argument. Paul asserts that the scriptural record of Abraham's justification by faith was not merely a biographical detail or an exclusive historical account meant only for Abraham's personal benefit or as a unique example for him. This negates any interpretation that would limit the scope or relevance of Abraham's experience.
* **"that it was imputed to him;"**: This clause clarifies the content of what was written and why it was significant. The "it" refers back to the act of righteousness being "imputed" or credited to Abraham. The implication is that the divine act of crediting righteousness to Abraham's faith was documented in Scripture precisely because it serves as a pattern and a promise for others. This sets the stage for the universal application of this principle to all believers, which Paul explicitly states in the subsequent verse (Romans 4:24).

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in [Romans 4:23](/romans/4-23 "Romans 4:23 - Not Written for Abraham Alone") to underscore his point. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, where he contrasts what the scripture was *not* written for ("for his sake alone") with its implied universal purpose (for all who would believe). This rhetorical technique immediately broadens the scope of the passage, drawing the reader's attention from a specific historical figure to a timeless theological truth. There is also an element of **Metonymy** in "it was not written," where "it" (the act of imputation) stands for the entire scriptural account of Abraham's justification, emphasizing that the *purpose* of the written record extends beyond the individual. Furthermore, the use of **Legal Language** with "imputed" (logízomai) frames the theological concept of justification in terms of a divine accounting or legal declaration, making the abstract concept of righteousness tangible and understandable as a credited status.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 4:23 is a cornerstone for understanding the doctrine of justification by faith, revealing God's consistent method of relating to humanity. It underscores that God's righteousness is not based on human performance or ethnic identity, but on a gracious divine act that credits righteousness to those who believe. This principle, demonstrated in Abraham's life, transcends historical epochs and cultural boundaries, affirming that salvation has always been, and continues to be, a gift received through faith. It speaks to God's unchanging character as one who justifies the ungodly by grace, providing a secure foundation for the believer's standing before Him.

* [Romans 3:28](/romans/3-28 "Romans 3:28 - Justified by Faith Apart from the Law")
* [Galatians 3:6](/galatians/3-6 "Galatians 3:6 - Abraham Believed God")
* [James 2:23](/james/2-23 "James 2:23 - Abraham's Faith and Works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth of Romans 4:23 offers immense comfort and assurance to every believer. It dismantles any notion that our standing with God is precarious, dependent on our fluctuating performance or adherence to a list of rules. Instead, it powerfully declares that the very same principle by which Abraham, the father of faith, was declared righteous—God crediting righteousness to him because of his faith—is applicable to us today. This means our righteousness before God is not earned, but is a divine gift, a perfect status imputed to us the moment we place our faith in Christ. This truth should cultivate deep humility, profound gratitude for God's grace, and an unshakable confidence in our salvation. It frees us from the burden of striving for self-righteousness and empowers us to live out of a secure identity as those already declared righteous in God's sight, motivating us to live lives that reflect His goodness, not to earn His favor.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that Abraham's story was "not written for his sake alone" change your perspective on the Old Testament?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to rely on your own works or performance for righteousness, rather than fully embracing God's imputed righteousness?**
* **What practical difference does it make in your daily life to know that your righteousness before God is a credited status, not an earned one?**

### FAQ
**Why is Abraham's example so central to Paul's argument about justification?**

Answer: Abraham is central because he predates the Mosaic Law and circumcision, which were often seen by Jewish people as the means to righteousness. By demonstrating that Abraham was justified by faith (as recorded in [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham's Faith Reckoned as Righteousness")), Paul proves that God's method of justification has always been consistent: through faith, not works. This allows Paul to argue for the inclusion of both Jews and Gentiles into God's family on the same basis, highlighting the universality of God's grace, as seen throughout [Romans 4](/romans/4 "Romans 4 - Justification by Faith").

**What does "imputed" (or "reckoned" / "credited") truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The Greek word "logízomai" (G3049) is an accounting or legal term. It means to attribute, credit, or reckon something to someone's account. In the context of righteousness, it signifies that God legally declares a person righteous, not because they are inherently perfect or have earned it, but because of their faith. It's a divine declaration, a status given, rather than a quality achieved. This concept is vital for understanding how believers are made right with God, as it is a gift from Him, freely given and received by faith, as further explained in [Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Justification by Faith Leads to Peace").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 4:23, by declaring that Abraham's justification by faith was not for his sake alone, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. The "imputation" of righteousness to Abraham by faith is the Old Testament pattern for the New Testament reality where righteousness is imputed to all who believe in Christ. The "it" that was imputed to Abraham finds its climactic expression in the person and work of Jesus. Our faith is not merely in a general concept of God, but specifically in God "who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification" ([Romans 4:24-25](/romans/4-24-25 "Romans 4:24-25 - Our Justification in Christ")). Christ's perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection are the basis upon which God can justly declare us righteous. Just as Abraham's faith was counted, so too is the believer's faith in Christ the means by which the perfect righteousness of Christ is credited to our account, making us "the righteousness of God in Him" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). This divine exchange is the heart of the gospel, fulfilling the promise implicit in Abraham's experience and making salvation universally available through faith in the Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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

1 Corinthians 10:11

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Romans 15:4

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

1 Corinthians 10:6

¶ Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

2 Timothy 3:16

All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Timothy 3:17

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

1 Corinthians 9:9

For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

1 Corinthians 9:10

Or saith he [it] altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, [this] is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.