Romans 4 23

Romans 4:23 kjv

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

Romans 4:23 nkjv

Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him,

Romans 4:23 niv

The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone,

Romans 4:23 esv

But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone,

Romans 4:23 nlt

And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn't just for Abraham's benefit. It was recorded

Romans 4 verses

Romans 4 23 Meaning

Romans 4:23 teaches that the Scriptural account of Abraham's faith being "imputed to him for righteousness" (Gen 15:6) was not written solely for Abraham's historical record or personal benefit. Instead, it holds universal significance as a divine revelation. This passage establishes a foundational truth about how God justifies people across all generations. Abraham's experience, meticulously recorded by the Holy Spirit, serves as a timeless prototype, revealing God's unchanging method for declaring sinners righteous: through faith alone. This verse lays the groundwork for understanding that what applied to Abraham's relationship with God is directly applicable to all who follow in his steps of faith.

Romans 4 23 Context

Romans 4 forms a crucial part of Paul's sustained argument for justification by faith, distinct from works of the Mosaic Law. In this chapter, Paul turns to Abraham, the revered patriarch of Israel, to demonstrate that even he, their ancestor, was justified not by obedience to the Law or by circumcision, but by his belief in God. Verses 1-22 build this case, quoting Gen 15:6 as foundational proof. Verse 23 acts as a transitional statement, moving from establishing Abraham's individual case to revealing the universal applicability and timeless nature of this truth for all believers. It confronts the contemporary Jewish emphasis on ethnic identity and works, asserting that the very foundation of their faith—Abraham's righteousness—was achieved through faith, a path open to everyone.

Romans 4 23 Word analysis

• Now (Greek: δέ, de): This serves as a transitional particle, indicating a shift from presenting Abraham's justification as an historical fact to elucidating its broader theological implications. It signifies a clarification and deeper revelation following the established point.
• it was written (Greek: ἐγράφη, egraphe): An aorist passive indicative verb, meaning "it was written" or "it stands written." It explicitly references Gen 15:6, underscoring that this truth is not Paul's novel idea but a divinely inspired, established record from the sacred Scriptures. The passive voice implies a divine author and action, reinforcing the authoritative nature of the statement.
• for his sake alone (Greek: δι᾽ αὐτὸν μόνον, di' auton monon): This is a pivotal phrase. The word "alone" (μόνον, monon) forcefully negates the idea that Abraham's justification by faith was an isolated, unique event solely relevant to him as a historical figure. Paul directly confronts any narrow interpretation that might confine this truth only to Abraham or to his physical descendants, the Jews. It broadens the scope dramatically.
• that it was imputed to him (Greek: ὅτι ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ, hoti elogisthe autō): This reiterates the core theological concept. "Imputed" (ἐλογίσθη, elogisthe, from λογίζομαι, logizomai) means "to reckon," "to account," "to credit," or "to put to one's account." This passive voice verb highlights that righteousness was credited to Abraham not as something earned, but as a divine act based on his faith. It emphasizes a transactional declaration by God, making righteous the one who trusts.

• "Now it was not written": This phrase introduces a profound reinterpretation of the purpose of ancient Scripture. It signals that what might appear to be a simple historical detail about Abraham carries significant ongoing relevance and serves God's eternal redemptive plan, far beyond its immediate historical context.
• "for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him": This clause provides the specific truth whose scope is being clarified. By combining "alone" with the imputation, Paul clarifies that the divinely inspired account of God crediting Abraham's faith as righteousness was intended to establish a universal, enduring principle of justification, a method that applies not just to one individual, but to all who share that same faith. It transforms a unique historical event into a theological prototype.

Romans 4 23 Bonus section

The constant repetition of λογίζομαι (logizomai, "to reckon," "impute") throughout Romans chapter 4 links Abraham's experience directly to that of believers in Christ. It's a precise accounting term, emphasizing that righteousness is an objective, divinely declared status, not a subjective feeling or earned merit. The authoritative "it was written" indicates that Paul's teaching is rooted deeply in the Old Testament, showcasing consistency in God's saving activity across the covenantal periods. This verse challenges any notion of divine favoritism or a shifting method of salvation; instead, it underscores God's steadfast character and uniform means of drawing people into a righteous standing with Himself through faith.

Romans 4 23 Commentary

Romans 4:23 serves as a pivotal interpretive statement in Paul's theological argument for justification by faith. Having thoroughly demonstrated that Abraham himself was declared righteous through belief, not through adherence to the Law or by his ethnicity, Paul now broadens the scope. This verse clarifies that the written record in Genesis 15:6 is far more than a simple biography. It is God's foundational declaration of how righteousness is achieved, serving as an immutable principle applicable to humanity in all eras. The "imputation" of righteousness to Abraham stands as a permanent blueprint for how God accounts people righteous: it is a divine crediting based solely on faith, making no distinction. This assures believers that their faith in Christ, like Abraham's faith in God's promise, is the pathway to divine acceptance, thereby removing any barrier of Law or lineage and paving the way for the inclusive nature of the Gospel for both Jew and Gentile. It reminds us that Scripture’s historical accounts are divinely intended lessons for our present understanding of salvation.