Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. New Living Translation When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. English Standard Version Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. Berean Standard Bible Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation. Berean Literal Bible Now to the one working, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt. King James Bible Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. New King James Version Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. New American Standard Bible Now to the one who works, the wages are not credited as a favor, but as what is due. NASB 1995 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. NASB 1977 Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. Legacy Standard Bible Now to the one who works, his wage is not counted according to grace, but according to what is due. Amplified Bible Now to a laborer, his wages are not credited as a favor or a gift, but as an obligation [something owed to him]. Christian Standard Bible Now to the one who works, pay is not credited as a gift, but as something owed. Holman Christian Standard Bible Now to the one who works, pay is not considered as a gift, but as something owed. American Standard Version Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt. Contemporary English Version Money paid to workers isn't a gift. It is something they earn by working. English Revised Version Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt. GOD'S WORD® Translation When people work, their pay is not regarded as a gift but something they have earned. Good News Translation A person who works is paid wages, but they are not regarded as a gift; they are something that has been earned. International Standard Version Now to someone who works, wages are not considered a gift but an obligation. Majority Standard Bible Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation. NET Bible Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation. New Heart English Bible Now to the one who works, the pay is not counted as gift, but as an obligation. Webster's Bible Translation Now to him that worketh, is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. Weymouth New Testament But in the case of a man who works, pay is not reckoned a favour but a debt; World English Bible Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as something owed. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand to him who is working, the reward is not reckoned of grace, but of debt; Berean Literal Bible Now to the one working, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt. Young's Literal Translation and to him who is working, the reward is not reckoned of grace, but of debt; Smith's Literal Translation And to him working, the reward is not reckoned according to favor, but according to debt. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNow to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt. Catholic Public Domain Version But for he who works, wages are not accounted according to grace, but according to debt. New American Bible A worker’s wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due. New Revised Standard Version Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut to him who works, wages are not considered as a favor but as that which is due to him. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But the wages of one who labors are not accounted to him as a favor, but as that which is owed to him. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentNow to him that works, the reward is not counted as a favor, but as a debt: Godbey New Testament But to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt; Haweis New Testament Now to him that worketh, the reward is not brought to account as a favour, but as a debt. Mace New Testament the reward is not counted as a favour to him that has done good actions, but as a debt: Weymouth New Testament But in the case of a man who works, pay is not reckoned a favour but a debt; Worrell New Testament Now to him that works the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt; Worsley New Testament Now to him that worketh the reward is not reckoned as a favor, but as a debt: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Abraham Justified by Faith…3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation. 5However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.… Cross References Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast. Galatians 2:16 know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. Titus 3:5 He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Philippians 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith. Romans 11:6 And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. 2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began. Galatians 3:10-12 All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” / Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” / The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” James 2:18-26 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. / You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. / O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless? ... Luke 17:10 So you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” 1 Corinthians 1:29-31 so that no one may boast in His presence. / It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. / Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” Genesis 15:6 Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Isaiah 64:6 Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind. Jeremiah 9:23-24 This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD. Psalm 32:1-2 Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. / Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit. Habakkuk 2:4 Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright—but the righteous will live by faith— Treasury of Scripture Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. Romans 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; Romans 11:6,35 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work… Matthew 20:1-16 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard… Jump to Previous Case Counted Credited Debt Due Favor Favour Gift Grace Obligation Pay Reckoned Reward Wage Wages Worketh Working WorksJump to Next Case Counted Credited Debt Due Favor Favour Gift Grace Obligation Pay Reckoned Reward Wage Wages Worketh Working WorksRomans 4 1. Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness;10. before he was circumcised. 13. By faith only he and his seed received the promise. 16. Abraham is the father of all who believe. 24. Our faith also shall be credited to us as righteousness. Now the wages of the worker In the context of the Roman Empire, workers were typically paid for their labor, and this payment was considered their due. The concept of wages is used here to illustrate a principle of justice and fairness. Biblically, this idea is echoed in Leviticus 19:13, which emphasizes the importance of paying workers their due wages. Theologically, this sets up a contrast between human effort and divine grace. are not credited as a gift but as an obligation Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the Book of Romans, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological writings. Romans is one of his epistles, written to the believers in Rome. 2. The Church in Rome The recipients of the letter, the Roman Christians were a diverse group of Jewish and Gentile believers living in the capital of the Roman Empire. 3. Abraham Although not directly mentioned in Romans 4:4, Abraham is a central figure in the surrounding context of Romans 4. Paul uses Abraham as an example of faith and righteousness apart from works. Teaching Points Understanding JustificationRomans 4:4 states, "Now to the one who works, his wages are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation." This highlights the distinction between earning wages through works and receiving righteousness as a gift through faith. Justification is not something we earn; it is a gift from God. The Nature of Grace The Greek word for "gift" (charis) underscores the unmerited favor of God. Believers are called to live in the freedom of grace, recognizing that their standing before God is not based on their own efforts. Faith and Works While works are not the basis of our justification, they are the evidence of a living faith. Believers are encouraged to pursue good works as a response to the grace they have received, not as a means to earn God's favor. Humility in Salvation Understanding that salvation is a gift should lead to humility. Believers are reminded that they cannot boast in their own righteousness but should boast in the Lord who justifies the ungodly. Living in Gratitude The realization of grace should lead to a life of gratitude and worship. Believers are encouraged to live in a way that reflects their thankfulness for the gift of salvation.(4) This, then (the righteousness attributed to Abraham), was an act of grace on the part of God, and not of merit on the part of man. It therefore carries with it no ground of boasting. The proposition is put in a general form. Those who base their claim on works have a right to their reward. It is not conceded to them by any sort of imputation, but is their desert. On the other hand (Romans 4:5), those who rely only upon faith, even though ungodly themselves, have righteousness imputed to them. This latter was Abraham's case, and not the former. (The specific application to Abraham is not expressed, but implied.) The reward.--Literally, his wages. The relation between what he receives and what he does is that of wages for work done. He can claim it, if need be, in a court of law. There is in it no element of grace, or favour, or concession. Verses 4, 5. - Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt (literally, according to grace, but according to the debt, i.e. according to what is due). But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness. The expression, "him that worketh" (τῷ ἐργαζομένῳ), evidently means him that works with a view to a reward which he can claim; or, as Luther explains it, "one who deals in works;" or, as we might say with the same signification, "the worker." (For a like use of the present participle, cf. Galatians 5:3, τῷ περιτεμνομένῳ.) So also in ver. 5, τῷ μὴ ἐργαζομένῳ means one who does not so work. Thus there is here no denial of the necessity of good works. It is the principle only of justification that is in view. "Neque enim fideles vult esse ignavos; sed tantum mercenarias esse vetat, qui a Deo quicquam reposcant quasi jure debitum" (Calvin). One view of the meaning of τῷ ἐργαζομένῳ is that it is equivalent to τῷ ἐργάτῃ, being meant as an illustration, thus: The workman's wage is due to him, and not granted as a favour (so Afford). But this notion does not suit the τῷ μὴ ἐργαζομένῳ in the following verse. The strong word ἀσεβῆ ("ungodly") is not to be understood as designating Abraham himself, the proposition being a general one. Nor does it imply that continued ἀσέβεια is consistent with justification; only that even the ἀσεβεῖς are justified through faith on their repentance and amendment (cf. Romans 5:6, ὑπὲρ ἀσεβῶν ἀπέθανε).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Nowδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. wages μισθὸς (misthos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3408: (a) pay, wages, salary, (b) reward, recompense, punishment. Apparently a primary word; pay for service, good or bad. of Τῷ (Tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. [the] worker ἐργαζομένῳ (ergazomenō) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 2038: To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor. are not credited λογίζεται (logizetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 3049: To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose. as κατὰ (kata) Preposition Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). a gift, χάριν (charin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 5485: From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act. but ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. as κατὰ (kata) Preposition Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). an obligation. ὀφείλημα (opheilēma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3783: A debt, offense, sin. From opheilo; something owed, i.e. a due; morally, a fault. Links Romans 4:4 NIVRomans 4:4 NLT Romans 4:4 ESV Romans 4:4 NASB Romans 4:4 KJV Romans 4:4 BibleApps.com Romans 4:4 Biblia Paralela Romans 4:4 Chinese Bible Romans 4:4 French Bible Romans 4:4 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Romans 4:4 Now to him who works the reward (Rom. Ro) |
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