Romans 4:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} what {G5101} saith {G3004} the scripture {G1124}?{G1161} Abraham {G11} believed {G4100} God {G2316}, and {G2532} it was counted {G3049} unto him {G846} for {G1519} righteousness {G1343}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For what does the Tanakh say? “Avraham put his trust in God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness.”

Berean Standard Bible

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 4:3 stands as a foundational text for the doctrine of justification by faith, asserting that Abraham's belief in God was the basis upon which he was declared righteous. Paul quotes [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham's Faith") to demonstrate that God's method of crediting righteousness to humanity through faith, rather than works of the law, is not a new concept but was established with the patriarch Abraham, long before the Mosaic Law was given. This verse encapsulates the core argument that salvation is a gift received by trust, not earned by human effort.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 4:3 is strategically placed within Paul's broader argument in the book of Romans concerning the nature of righteousness and salvation. Having established in [Romans 1-3](/romans/1-3 "Romans 1-3 - Humanity's Sin and God's Righteousness") that all humanity, both Jew and Gentile, is under the condemnation of sin and that righteousness is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ apart from the law, Paul now turns to Abraham as the quintessential Old Testament example. Chapter 4 serves to prove that justification by faith is not a novel concept introduced by Christ, but rather God's consistent method of relating to humanity from the very beginning. Paul directly quotes [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham Believes God") to underscore that Abraham, the revered father of the Jewish nation, was made right with God through faith, not through circumcision or adherence to the Law, which came centuries later. This preempts any Jewish objection that salvation is exclusive to those under the Mosaic covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience in Rome consisted of both Jewish and Gentile Christians. For the Jewish believers, Abraham was the revered patriarch, the father of their nation, and the recipient of God's covenant promises. There was a strong cultural emphasis on the Mosaic Law and circumcision as markers of identity and means of righteousness before God. Paul's argument directly challenges this prevailing understanding by demonstrating that Abraham's righteousness predated the Law and circumcision. By appealing to Abraham, Paul uses a figure universally respected by his Jewish audience to validate his radical claim that righteousness comes through faith alone. This historical context highlights the revolutionary nature of Paul's teaching for those accustomed to a works-based understanding of their relationship with God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to several key theological themes woven throughout Romans. The most prominent is **Justification by Faith**, which posits that a right standing before God is granted not through human merit or adherence to legal codes, but solely through trust in God and His promises. Abraham serves as the **Prime Example of Faith**, illustrating that God's covenant relationship with humanity has always been predicated on belief, a principle that transcends specific dispensations like the Mosaic Law. Furthermore, the concept of **Imputed Righteousness** is crucial here; the phrase "it was counted unto him for righteousness" signifies that righteousness is not earned or inherent but is rather attributed or credited to an individual by God. This is distinct from righteousness gained through works, which would be deserved. This theme is further developed in [Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Justification by Faith Leads to Peace"), where Paul explains the peace and access believers have through this imputed righteousness. Lastly, Paul's direct quotation from Genesis underscores the **Authority and Consistency of Scripture**, demonstrating that the Old Testament itself testifies to the truth of justification by faith, providing a continuous theological thread from Abraham to Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **believed (Greek, _pisteúō_):** From G4100, meaning "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ)." This word signifies more than mere intellectual assent; it implies a deep trust, reliance, and commitment. Abraham's belief was an active, personal trust in God's character and His seemingly impossible promise of a son in his old age, and through that son, a multitude of descendants.
* **counted (Greek, _logízomai_):** From G3049, meaning "to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):--conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on)." This is a crucial accounting or legal term. It means to credit, reckon, or impute. It indicates that righteousness was not inherent in Abraham or earned by him, but was formally attributed or assigned to his account by God.
* **righteousness (Greek, _dikaiosýnē_):** From G1343, meaning "equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:--righteousness." In this context, it refers to a right standing or acquittal before God. It is the state of being declared just or innocent in God's sight, not based on one's own merit, but on God's gracious declaration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For what saith the scripture?"**: Paul opens with a rhetorical question, immediately appealing to the ultimate authority of the Old Testament Scriptures. This sets the stage for his argument, grounding it firmly in divine revelation rather than human reasoning or tradition. It implies that the answer is readily available and universally accepted among those who honor the sacred texts.
* **"Abraham believed God,"**: This clause presents the pivotal action. Abraham's belief was directed towards God Himself, specifically in the context of God's promise of a son and a vast lineage ([Genesis 15:1-5](/genesis/15-1-5 "Genesis 15:1-5 - God's Promise to Abraham")). This was not a belief in a set of doctrines, but a personal, active trust in the character and word of the living God, even when circumstances seemed to contradict the promise.
* **"and it was counted unto him for righteousness."**: This is the profound consequence of Abraham's belief. The "it" refers to his act of believing. God "counted" or "reckoned" this belief to Abraham as righteousness. This signifies a divine declaration, an imputation of a right standing, rather than an achievement of perfect moral behavior. Abraham was declared righteous because of his faith, not because of his works or inherent perfection. The preposition "for" (Greek _eis_, G1519) indicates the purpose or result: his faith served as the basis *for* his being credited with righteousness.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's use of **Rhetorical Question** ("For what saith the scripture?") immediately engages the reader and directs attention to the authoritative source of his argument. This is followed by a direct **Quotation** from [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham's Faith"), lending immense weight and undeniable biblical support to his theological assertion. The phrase "counted unto him for righteousness" employs a powerful **Metaphor** drawn from the realms of accounting or legal declaration. The verb _logízomai_ (counted/reckoned) functions as an **Accounting Metaphor**, portraying God as crediting or imputing righteousness to Abraham's spiritual "account" due to his faith. This legal or financial imagery underscores that righteousness is a divinely declared status, not an earned merit, highlighting the gracious nature of God's justification.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 4:3 is a cornerstone for understanding the doctrine of justification by faith, demonstrating that God's method of declaring humanity righteous has always been consistent, from Abraham to the present day. It decisively refutes the idea that righteousness can be earned through human effort, legal obedience, or religious rituals. Instead, it posits that a right standing before God is a gracious gift, freely given to those who, like Abraham, place their trust in God's promises and character. This foundational truth liberates believers from the burden of striving for self-righteousness and anchors their hope in God's faithfulness.
* [Galatians 3:6](/galatians/3-6 "Galatians 3:6 - Abraham's Faith")
* [James 2:23](/james/2-23 "James 2:23 - Abraham's Faith and Works")
* [Hebrews 11:8-10](/hebrews/11-8-10 "Hebrews 11:8-10 - Abraham's Faith and Obedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound comfort and clarity for every believer. It assures us that our standing before God is not precarious, dependent on our fluctuating performance or adherence to an impossible standard of perfection. Instead, it is secured by a divine declaration based on faith. Just as Abraham's belief, despite his imperfections, was credited as righteousness, so too is the righteousness of Christ imputed to us when we place our faith in Him. This truth should cultivate deep humility, recognizing that our salvation is entirely a gift, and boundless gratitude for God's incredible grace. It frees us from the exhausting treadmill of trying to earn God's favor and empowers us to live out of a secure identity as His beloved, justified children. Our good works then become a joyful overflow of this received righteousness, not a means to attain it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Abraham's justification by faith challenge any lingering tendencies to rely on your own efforts or good deeds for acceptance by God?**
* **In what specific areas of your life might you be tempted to earn God's favor rather than simply trusting in His gracious provision?**
* **How does the concept of "imputed righteousness" (God counting Christ's righteousness to you) impact your daily walk and your sense of security in your relationship with God?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Paul quoting Genesis 15:6 here?**

Answer: Paul's quotation of [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham Believes God") is profoundly significant because it grounds his argument for justification by faith firmly in the Old Testament, the very scriptures revered by his Jewish audience. By demonstrating that Abraham, the revered patriarch and father of the Jewish nation, was declared righteous by God *because of his faith*—long before the Mosaic Law was given or circumcision was commanded—Paul proves that God's method of salvation has always been through faith, not works. This shows consistency in God's plan across dispensations and validates the Christian message of salvation through faith in Christ, proving it is not a new or foreign concept, but a continuation of God's original design. It dismantles the argument that righteousness comes through adherence to the Law, highlighting that even the Law's progenitor was justified by faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 4:3 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in demonstrating that Abraham's faith was a prototype for the faith that would be placed in Jesus Christ. Abraham believed God's promise of a seed through whom all nations would be blessed ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - God's Promise to Abraham")), a promise that ultimately pointed to Christ. Just as Abraham's faith was "counted unto him for righteousness," so too is righteousness now counted to all who believe in the resurrected Christ. Paul explicitly connects this in [Romans 4:24-25](/romans/4-24-25 "Romans 4:24-25 - Our Faith and Christ's Resurrection"), stating that righteousness will be "imputed to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." Christ is the perfect embodiment of the righteousness that is imputed to us; His sinless life and atoning death are the basis for our justification, received not through our works, but through faith in Him. Thus, Abraham's experience serves as a clear Old Testament witness to the New Testament truth that salvation is a gracious gift, freely given through faith in the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([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

Genesis 15:6

And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

James 2:23

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Romans 4:9

¶ [Cometh] this blessedness then upon the circumcision [only], or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

Galatians 3:6

¶ Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Galatians 3:8

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Romans 4:22

And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Romans 4:25

Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.