What is the meaning of Romans 4:6? And David speaks - Paul reaches back into Israel’s hymnbook, reminding us that King David himself “speaks” into this New-Covenant discussion. - Scripture consistently testifies with one voice; the apostles do not invent a new doctrine but unfold what was already embedded in the Old Testament (Acts 10:43). - By anchoring his point in David’s words, Paul shows that salvation by faith is not a novelty but the very heart of God’s revelation from Genesis onward (Genesis 15:6). likewise of the blessedness - “Blessedness” is more than a fleeting feeling; it is the settled joy of being fully accepted by God. - David describes this blessing in Psalm 32:1-2 (quoted right after Romans 4:6): “Blessed are they whose lawless acts are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him”. - This same blessedness is echoed in Romans 5:1-2, where peace with God and access into grace flow from justification. of the man - The promise is personal and individual—“the man,” not merely a tribe or nation. - Salvation’s reach spans Jew and Gentile alike (Romans 3:29-30); anyone can step into this blessed standing. - David’s own life—marred by adultery and murder—shows that even the gravest sinner can become “the man” who is declared righteous. to whom God credits righteousness - “Credits” is banking language: God places righteousness into our account. - This is not a legal fiction; it is God’s truthful verdict based on Christ’s accomplished work (2 Corinthians 5:21). - Just as Abraham believed and “it was credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3), every believer shares the same credit. - The credit is immediate and complete, producing: • Peace with God (Romans 5:1) • Freedom from condemnation (Romans 8:1) • Bold access to God’s throne (Hebrews 4:16) apart from works - Here Paul drives the nail: works play no role in earning the credit. - Titus 3:5 reinforces the point: “He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy”. - Ephesians 2:8-9 settles the matter: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith... not by works, so that no one can boast”. - Works follow as the fruit of a redeemed life (Ephesians 2:10), but they never form the root of our righteousness. summary Romans 4:6 teaches that, just as David rejoiced in Psalm 32, every believer today can know the profound blessedness of having righteousness credited by God without any reliance on personal merit. It is a divine bookkeeping miracle, accomplished through Christ, received by faith, and celebrated forever by those who stand forgiven, accepted, and secure in His grace. |
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