How does Romans 4:5 emphasize faith over works for righteousness? The Heart of Romans 4:5 “However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.” • Paul draws an unmistakable line: righteousness is credited, not earned. • “Does not work” makes it clear that human effort contributes nothing to justification. • “Trusts God” positions faith—simple reliance on God’s promise—as the sole condition. • “Justifies the wicked” underscores grace: God declares the ungodly righteous before any reforming deeds occur. • “Credited” (logizomai) is an accounting term—God transfers Christ’s righteousness to the believer’s account. An Old Testament Echo: Abraham’s Example • Genesis 15:6: “Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Paul echoes this verbatim (Romans 4:3), anchoring his argument in Scripture’s earliest covenant model. • Abraham received righteousness before circumcision (Romans 4:9-11), proving rites or morals were not the basis. • Abraham’s faith looked forward to God’s promise; ours looks back to Christ’s finished work—yet both are counted righteous the same way. Faith, Not Works—Paul’s Logical Flow 1. Works earn a wage (Romans 4:4); wages are owed, not gifted. 2. Righteousness is not owed; it is bestowed. 3. Therefore, the moment one tries to earn it, the gift becomes a debt—and grace is nullified (Romans 11:6). 4. So God refuses to let human effort share the credit; He alone justifies. Scripture’s Chorus on the Same Theme • Ephesians 2:8-9—“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… not by works, so that no one can boast.” • Titus 3:5—“He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy.” • Galatians 2:16—“A person is not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ.” • Philippians 3:9—Paul counts all his credentials “rubbish” to gain “the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” Why God Chooses Faith • Faith looks away from self to God, giving Him all the glory (Romans 3:27). • Faith unites us to Christ, the true righteous One, so His obedience is legally ours (2 Corinthians 5:21). • Faith is universally accessible—rich or poor, Jew or Gentile (Romans 4:16-17). • Faith produces grateful obedience after justification, but never before it (James 2:22—faith is shown genuine by works, not replaced by them). Living in the Reality of Credited Righteousness • Rest—stop striving for God’s acceptance; Christ’s record is already yours. • Rejoice—boast in the Lord, not in moral score-keeping (1 Corinthians 1:31). • Respond—serve out of love, knowing good works flow from salvation, not toward it (Ephesians 2:10). |
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