The concept of "imputed" is a significant theological term within Christian doctrine, particularly in discussions of sin, righteousness, and salvation. The term refers to the attribution or crediting of something to a person or account. In biblical theology, it is most commonly associated with the doctrines of original sin and justification by faith.

Imputation of Sin

The imputation of sin is rooted in the narrative of the Fall in Genesis. According to Romans 5:12 , "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned." This passage highlights the belief that Adam's sin is imputed to all humanity, meaning that all people are considered sinners by virtue of Adam's transgression. This concept underscores the inherent sinful nature of humanity and the need for divine intervention for redemption.

Imputation of Righteousness

In contrast to the imputation of sin, the imputation of righteousness is a cornerstone of the doctrine of justification. This is the belief that the righteousness of Jesus Christ is credited to believers, making them righteous before God. Romans 4:5-6 states, "However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. And David speaks likewise of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works." This passage emphasizes that righteousness is not earned by works but is imputed to believers through faith in Christ.

The Role of Faith

Faith is the means by which imputed righteousness is received. Romans 3:22 declares, "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." Faith is not a work that earns righteousness but is the channel through which God's grace is received. This aligns with the Protestant Reformation principle of "sola fide," meaning "faith alone," which asserts that justification is by faith apart from works.

Imputation in the Old Testament

The concept of imputation is not limited to the New Testament. In the Old Testament, Genesis 15:6 states, "Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness." This verse is foundational for understanding imputation, as it illustrates that even before the Law was given, righteousness was imputed to Abraham because of his faith.

Theological Implications

The doctrine of imputation has profound theological implications. It underscores the grace of God in salvation, highlighting that human beings cannot achieve righteousness through their own efforts. Instead, they rely entirely on the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to them through faith. This doctrine also affirms the justice of God, as sin is not overlooked but is dealt with through the sacrificial atonement of Christ, whose righteousness is then imputed to believers.

Conclusion

The concept of imputation is central to understanding the biblical narrative of sin and redemption. It reveals the depth of human sinfulness and the extraordinary grace of God in providing a means of salvation through the imputed righteousness of Christ. This doctrine remains a vital element of Christian theology, shaping the believer's understanding of their relationship with God and their standing before Him.(imp. & p. p.) of Impute.1863. epago -- to bring upon
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epago Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ag'-o) Short
Definition: I bring upon Definition: I bring upon; met: I cause to be imputed to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1863.htm - 6k

1677. ellogeo -- to charge to one's account, impute
... from en and logos (in the sense of account, reckoning) Definition to charge to one's
account, impute NASB Word Usage charge...to...account (1), imputed (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1677.htm - 6k

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... JUSTIFICATION BY AN IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS; OR, NO WAY TO HEAVEN BUT BY JESUS
CHRIST. ... GEO. OFFOR. JUSTIFICATION BY AN IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS. ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm

Erroneous Opinions Imputed to the Apostles.
... ERRONEOUS OPINIONS IMPUTED TO THE APOSTLES. ... Another error imputed to the first
Christians was the expected approach of the day of judgment. ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter ii erroneous opinions imputed.htm

The Righteousness of Christ is not Imputed to us for Righteousness ...
... ARTICLE XXIV (IV.) The Righteousness of Christ is not imputed to us for Righteousness;
but to believe [or the act of believing] justifies us. ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/article xxiv iv the righteousness.htm

It is Difficult to Decide Whether the Sins of a Man's Other ...
... Chapter 47."It is Difficult to Decide Whether the Sins of a Man's Other
Progenitors are Imputed to Him. But about the sins of ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 47 it is difficult to.htm

Faith is not the Instrument of Justification.
... Let that phrase likewise which is so often used by the Apostle in Romans 6, be
seriously considered, "Faith is imputed for righteousness." Is this faith as an ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article xxvi vi faith is.htm

The Justification of Man Before God
... It consisted in the determination of these two questions: (1.) "is the obedience
or righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to believers and in which ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/ix the justification of man.htm

Guiltless and Without Sin.
... inherited guilt. Adam's guilt is imputed to all that were in his loins.
Adam lived and fell as our natural and federal head. Our ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xviii guiltless and without sin.htm

Justification
... is on justification, about which these are my sentiments: Faith, and faith only,
(though there is no faith alone without works,) is imputed for righteousness. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/justification.htm

Whether Despair is a Sin
... Now their despair is not imputed to them as guilt, but rather as their damnation.
Neither, then, is despair imputed to the wayfarer as guilt. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article one whether despair is.htm

On the Justification of Man as a Sinner, but yet a Believer ...
... Or, Does not faith apprehend Christ offered for righteousness, before faith
is imputed for righteousness? 16. In this enunciation ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on the justification of man.htm

Imputed (9 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Impute. Multi-Version Concordance Imputed (9 Occurrences). ... Romans
4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. (KJV WBS). ...
/i/imputed.htm - 9k

Impute (7 Occurrences)
... sense. 2. (vt) To adjudge as one's own (the sin or righteousness) of another;
as, the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us. 3 ...
/i/impute.htm - 8k

Imputation
... Thus in doctrinal language (1) the sin of Adam is imputed to all his descendants,
ie, it is reckoned as theirs, and they are dealt with therefore as guilty; (2 ...
/i/imputation.htm - 39k

Sin (782 Occurrences)
... Original sin. "Our first parents being the root of all mankind, the guilt of their
sin was imputed, and the same death in sin and corrupted nature were ...
/s/sin.htm - 82k

Upbraid (2 Occurrences)
... with something wrong or disgraceful; to reproach; to cast something in the teeth
of; -- followed by with or for, and formerly of, before the thing imputed. ...
/u/upbraid.htm - 7k

Uncircumcised (48 Occurrences)
... yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though
they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them ...
/u/uncircumcised.htm - 25k

Offers (35 Occurrences)
... 7:18 If any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings is eaten on the
third day, it will not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed to him who ...
/o/offers.htm - 17k

Offensive (15 Occurrences)
... if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings be at all eaten on the
third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him ...
/o/offensive.htm - 11k

Offereth (28 Occurrences)
... if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the
third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him ...
/o/offereth.htm - 15k

Justification (6 Occurrences)
... 8). The sole condition on which this righteousness is imputed or credited
to the believer is faith in or on the Lord Jesus Christ. ...
/j/justification.htm - 43k

What is imputed sin? | GotQuestions.org

Why does Christ's righteousness need to be imputed to us? | GotQuestions.org

What is the definition of sin? | GotQuestions.org

Imputed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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