How does Romans 4:5 challenge the concept of earning salvation? Text of Romans 4:5 “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.” Meaning of Key Terms “Does not work” translates the Greek present participle ergazomenō, indicating an ongoing renunciation of any self-generated moral or ritual achievement as a ground of acceptance. “Believes” (pisteuonti) denotes personal trust, not mere assent. “Justifies” (dikaiounta) is forensic—God declares a legal standing. “Ungodly” (asebē) underscores that the beneficiary brings nothing commendable. “Credited” (logizetai) is an accounting term: righteousness is entered into the ledger of the believer from an external source. Immediate Literary Context Romans 4 anchors Paul’s thesis from 3:21–31 that “a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been revealed.” Verses 1–8 cite Abraham and David as exemplars of justification apart from works, destroying any appeal to circumcision, Mosaic code, or moral record. Old Testament Precedent: Abraham (Genesis 15:6) “Abraham believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Paul shows that even the patriarch—revered under the Law—was justified before circumcision or Sinai. Archaeological synchronism (e.g., Nuzi tablets) authenticates the customs reflected in Genesis, reinforcing the historicity of the narrative Paul employs. Negative Assertion: Salvation Cannot Be Earned The verse explicitly contrasts “does not work” with “believes.” Any scheme that mixes human merit with divine grace is excluded (cf. Romans 11:6). Behavioral science confirms that humans instinctively adopt performance-based acceptance; Paul dismantles that instinct by making non-working a prerequisite. The Object of Faith: God Who “Justifies the Ungodly” Justification is grounded in the atoning death and bodily resurrection of Christ (Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Historical evidence cited by more than 1,400 scholarly works—empty tomb tradition, early creed of 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, post-mortem appearances to friend and foe, and rapid church growth in hostile Jerusalem—collectively affirms the resurrection, legitimizing God’s promise to credit righteousness. Imputation vs. Infusion Paul’s logizetai language never denotes moral transformation here; it speaks of transfer of status. Righteousness remains external (Christ’s obedience, 2 Corinthians 5:21). Moral renewal (sanctification) follows justification, but never precedes it nor contributes to it. Second Temple Background Documents like 4QMMT and the Psalms of Solomon show varied Jewish currents, yet Paul’s contemporaries largely connected covenant membership to Torah observance. Romans 4:5 confronts this cultural milieu head-on, affirming that even covenantal signs cannot establish saving righteousness. Philosophical Coherence If salvation could be earned, divine justice would be negotiable, diminishing God’s infinitude; finite acts could purchase infinite standing. Contradiction arises because God’s perfection demands perfect obedience (James 2:10). Therefore only an infinite substitute—God the Son—can satisfy the standard. Harmony with Wider Scripture Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9 all echo the same grace-alone message. Isaiah 64:6 portrays the inadequacy of human righteousness, preparing the Old Testament canvas upon which Paul paints. Answering Common Objections 1. “Doesn’t James 2:24 teach justification by works?” Context shows James addresses demonstrative vindication before humans, not forensic acquittal before God. 2. “Isn’t moral effort irrelevant then?” Romans 6 clarifies: justified people pursue holiness out of union with Christ, not to earn favor. 3. “What of other religions?” All non-Christian systems prescribe earning. Romans 4:5 diagnostically reveals their insufficiency and directs them to the only sufficient ground—Christ’s righteousness. Pastoral and Evangelistic Application Invite hearers burdened by moral failure: stop striving, trust the God who justifies the ungodly. Like Ray Comfort, use the Law to reveal sin, then direct to Romans 4:5 as the gospel remedy. Conclusion Romans 4:5 dismantles every concept of earning salvation by emphatically separating “does not work” from “believes,” rooting righteousness exclusively in the crucified and risen Christ, and universally offering it to the morally bankrupt. |
    |