Romans 4:8

Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Blessed {G3107} is the man {G435} to whom {G3739} the Lord {G2962} will {G3049} not {G3364} impute {G3049} sin {G266}.

Blessed is the man whose sin Adonai
will not reckon against his account.”

Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin.

Commentary

Commentary on Romans 4:8 KJV

The Apostle Paul, in Romans chapter 4, is building a powerful argument for justification by faith, independent of works of the law. He uses two key Old Testament figures, Abraham and David, as examples. Having just quoted Psalm 32:1-2 to show that David experienced blessedness through the forgiveness of sins, Paul highlights this specific verse as the core of that blessedness.

Context

Romans 4 follows Paul's declaration that God's righteousness is revealed through faith (Romans 1:17) and that all, both Jews and Gentiles, are under sin (Romans 3:23). He introduces God's method of justifying sinners through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24-26). Chapter 4 specifically addresses potential objections, proving from Scripture (the Old Testament) that this principle of faith, not works, was God's way all along, starting with Abraham (Romans 4:3) and exemplified by David's description of the blessedness of forgiveness.

Key Themes

  • Blessedness: The verse speaks of a state of profound happiness and favor from God. This blessedness isn't earned through perfect obedience but is a result of God's gracious action.
  • Non-Imputation of Sin: The core concept is that God chooses *not* to "impute" or "reckon" sin to a person. This means the sin is not held against them, not counted in their account before God. It's a declaration of divine forgiveness and acceptance.
  • Faith: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the context of Romans 4 makes it clear that this non-imputation of sin is experienced by those who have faith, just as Abraham's faith was "counted unto him for righteousness" (Romans 4:3). The blessedness described is the state of a justified believer.

Linguistic Insights

The key Greek word translated "impute" (and also "counted" or "reckoned" elsewhere in the chapter) is logizomai. It's an accounting term meaning "to calculate, to take into account, to credit, to reckon, to consider." When the verse says the Lord "will not impute sin," it uses a double negative in the Greek for emphasis, meaning He will *never* count that sin against the individual.

Reflection and Application

This verse offers immense comfort and security. For anyone burdened by guilt and the knowledge of their failures, the promise that God will not hold their sins against them is the foundation of the Christian hope. This blessedness is not based on our performance but on God's declaration of forgiveness through Christ. It reminds us that our standing before God is not dependent on our ability to avoid sin perfectly, but on His gracious decision not to impute our sin to us, but instead to impute Christ's righteousness to us when we believe. This truth should lead to gratitude, freedom, and a desire to live in response to such amazing grace.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 32:2

    Blessed [is] the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit [there is] no guile.

  • 1 Peter 2:24

    Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:19

    To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:20

    Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

  • 1 Peter 3:18

    ¶ For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

  • Isaiah 53:10

    ¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

  • Isaiah 53:12

    Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
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