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"And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness." <a href="/kjv/romans/4.htm">King James Bible</a> For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. <a href="/nkjv/romans/4.htm">New King James Version</a> For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” <a href="/nasb_/romans/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” <a href="/nasb/romans/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> For what does the Scripture say? &#8220ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/romans/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For what does the Scripture say? “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” <a href="/lsb/romans/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS COUNTED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” <a href="/amp/romans/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED IN (trusted, relied on) GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIS ACCOUNT AS RIGHTEOUSNESS (right living, right standing with God).” <a href="/csb/romans/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness. <a href="/hcsb/romans/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness. <a href="/asv/romans/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. <a href="/cev/romans/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The Scriptures say, "God accepted Abraham because Abraham had faith in him." <a href="/erv/romans/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. <a href="/gwt/romans/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> What does Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and that faith was regarded by God to be his approval of Abraham." <a href="/gnt/romans/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> The scripture says, "Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous." <a href="/isv/romans/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." <a href="/msb/romans/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For what does the Scripture say? ?Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.? <a href="/net/romans/4.htm">NET Bible</a> For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." <a href="/nheb/romans/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For what does the Scripture say? "And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." <a href="/wbt/romans/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. <a href="/wey/romans/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For what says the Scripture? "And Abraham believed God, and this was placed to his credit as righteousness." <a href="/web/romans/4.htm">World English Bible</a> For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for what does the writing say? “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness”; <a href="/blb/romans/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For what does the Scripture say? "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness." <a href="/ylt/romans/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for what doth the writing say? 'And Abraham did believe God, and it was reckoned to him -- to righteousness;' <a href="/slt/romans/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For what says the writing? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for justice.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice. <a href="/cpdv/romans/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For what does Scripture say? “Abram believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice.” <a href="/nabre/romans/4.htm">New American Bible</a> For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” <a href="/nrsvce/romans/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For what said the scripture? Abraham believed in God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For what do the Scriptures say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For what says the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.<CM> <a href="/godbey/romans/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For what does the scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness. <a href="/haweis/romans/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For what doth the scripture say? Abraham truly believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness.<RX 1.15.6> <a href="/mace/romans/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for what saith the scripture? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness." <a href="/wey/romans/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For what says the Scripture? "And Abraham believed God, and this was placed to his credit as righteousness." <a href="/worrell/romans/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> For what does the Scripture say? "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness." <a href="/worsley/romans/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> for what saith the scripture? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness." <a href="/parallel/romans/4-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=847" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/romans/4.htm">Abraham Justified by Faith</a> …2If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God. 3<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">what</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">does the</a> <a href="/greek/1124.htm" title="1124: graphē (N-NFS) -- (a) a writing, (b) a passage of scripture; plur: the scriptures. A document, i.e. Holy Writ.">Scripture</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">say?</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">“</a> <a href="/greek/11.htm" title="11: Abraam (N-NMS) -- Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.">Abraham</a> <a href="/greek/4100.htm" title="4100: Episteusen (V-AIA-3S) -- From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.">believed</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theō (N-DMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3049.htm" title="3049: elogisthē (V-AIP-3S) -- To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose. ">it was credited</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">to him</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">as</a> <a href="/greek/1343.htm" title="1343: dikaiosynēn (N-AFS) -- From dikaios; equity; specially justification.">righteousness.”</a> 4Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Genesis 15:6</a> Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness. <a href="/galatians/3-6.htm">Galatians 3:6</a> So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” <a href="/james/2-23.htm">James 2:23</a> And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. <a href="/hebrews/11-8.htm">Hebrews 11:8-12</a> By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. / By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. ... <a href="/galatians/3-7.htm">Galatians 3:7-9</a> Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. / The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” / So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. <a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a> Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” <a href="/genesis/17-1.htm">Genesis 17:1-8</a> When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless. / I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly.” / Then Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, ... <a href="/genesis/22-15.htm">Genesis 22:15-18</a> And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time, / saying, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, / I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. ... <a href="/hebrews/6-13.htm">Hebrews 6:13-15</a> When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself, / saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.” / And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise. <a href="/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39</a> “Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham. <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Galatians 3:29</a> And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7-8</a> Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. <a href="/romans/3-21.htm">Romans 3:21-22</a> But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. / And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, <a href="/romans/1-17.htm">Romans 1:17</a> For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” <a href="/romans/10-10.htm">Romans 10:10</a> For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For what said the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.what.<a href="/romans/9-17.htm">Romans 9:17</a> For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.<a href="/romans/10-11.htm">Romans 10:11</a> For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.<a href="/romans/11-2.htm">Romans 11:2</a> God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,Abraham.<a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Genesis 15:6</a> And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.<a href="/galatians/3-6.htm">Galatians 3:6-8</a> Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness… <a href="/james/2-23.htm">James 2:23</a> And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.counted.<a href="/romans/4-5.htm">Romans 4:5,9,11,22-25</a> But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness… <a href="/psalms/106-31.htm">Psalm 106:31</a> And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/4-2.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/romans/2-24.htm">Account</a> <a href="/romans/2-26.htm">Accounted</a> <a href="/romans/3-26.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/romans/3-3.htm">Believed</a> <a href="/romans/2-26.htm">Counted</a> <a href="/romans/3-24.htm">Credit</a> <a href="/romans/2-26.htm">Credited</a> <a href="/romans/3-31.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/acts/28-8.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/romans/2-26.htm">Reckoned</a> <a href="/romans/4-2.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/romans/1-17.htm">Scripture</a> <a href="/acts/25-26.htm">Writing</a> <a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Writings</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/4-9.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/romans/4-5.htm">Account</a> <a href="/romans/4-5.htm">Accounted</a> <a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/romans/4-17.htm">Believed</a> <a href="/romans/4-4.htm">Counted</a> <a href="/romans/4-5.htm">Credit</a> <a href="/romans/4-4.htm">Credited</a> <a href="/romans/4-5.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/romans/4-17.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/romans/4-5.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/romans/4-4.htm">Reckoned</a> <a href="/romans/4-5.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/romans/8-36.htm">Scripture</a> <a href="/romans/7-1.htm">Writing</a> <a href="/romans/4-17.htm">Writings</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 4</div>1. <a href="/romans/4-1.htm">Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness;</a> 10. <a href="/romans/4-10.htm">before he was circumcised.</a> 13. <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">By faith only he and his seed received the promise.</a> 16. <a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Abraham is the father of all who believe.</a> 24. <a href="/romans/4-24.htm">Our faith also shall be credited to us as righteousness.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/romans/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>For what does the Scripture say? This phrase emphasizes the authority of Scripture as the ultimate source of truth. In the context of Romans, Paul is addressing Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome, highlighting the importance of returning to the Scriptures for understanding God's plan. The rhetorical question invites readers to consider the biblical foundation of faith and righteousness. This approach aligns with Jewish traditions of interpreting the Torah and underscores the continuity of God's revelation from the Old Testament to the New Testament.“Abraham believed God, Abraham is a central figure in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions, often referred to as the father of faith. His belief in God is foundational for understanding the concept of faith in the Bible. In <a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Genesis 15:6</a>, Abraham's faith is demonstrated when he trusts God's promise of numerous descendants despite his old age and Sarah's barrenness. This act of belief is not merely intellectual assent but a deep trust in God's character and promises. Abraham's faith is a prototype of the faith required for salvation, illustrating that righteousness comes through faith, not works.and it was credited to him as righteousness.” The concept of crediting or imputing righteousness is central to Paul's argument about justification by faith. In the cultural and historical context, this term is akin to accounting language, where something is reckoned or counted towards someone's account. Abraham's faith was counted as righteousness, meaning he was declared righteous before God not because of his actions but because of his faith. This principle is echoed in other New Testament passages, such as <a href="/galatians/3-6.htm">Galatians 3:6-9</a> and <a href="/james/2-23.htm">James 2:23</a>, reinforcing the idea that righteousness is a gift from God, received through faith. This imputation of righteousness is a type of the righteousness believers receive through faith in Jesus Christ, who fulfills the promises made to Abraham.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a> A key patriarch in the Bible, Abraham is often referred to as the "father of faith." His belief in God's promises is foundational to understanding faith and righteousness in both the Old and New Testaments. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The central figure in this passage, God is the one who makes promises and credits righteousness to those who believe. 3. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> The apostle who wrote the letter to the Romans, Paul uses Abraham's example to teach about justification by faith. 4. <a href="/topical/g/genesis_15_-6.htm">Genesis 15:6</a> The original Old Testament context where Abraham's faith is first mentioned as being credited as righteousness. 5. <a href="/topical/r/righteousness.htm">Righteousness</a> A key theological concept in this passage, referring to being in right standing with God, which is granted through faith.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/faith_as_the_basis_of_righteousness.htm">Faith as the Basis of Righteousness</a> Abraham's example shows that righteousness is not earned by works but is credited through faith. This challenges us to trust in God's promises rather than our own efforts. <a href="/topical/t/the_universality_of_faith.htm">The Universality of Faith</a> Just as Abraham's faith was credited as righteousness before the law was given, so too is faith the means by which all people, Jew and Gentile, can be justified before God. <a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_true_faith.htm">The Nature of True Faith</a> True faith involves trusting in God's promises even when they seem impossible. Abraham believed God for a son despite his and Sarah's old age, teaching us to trust God beyond our circumstances. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_scripture_in_understanding_faith.htm">The Role of Scripture in Understanding Faith</a> Paul points to Scripture as the authoritative source for understanding faith and righteousness. This encourages us to study the Bible diligently to understand God's ways. <a href="/topical/l/living_out_faith_today.htm">Living Out Faith Today</a> Abraham's faith was active and led to obedience. Our faith should also lead to actions that reflect our trust in God, impacting how we live daily.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 4</a> <a href="/q/fate_of_righteous_and_wicked.htm">What will happen to the righteous and the wicked?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_abraham's_faith_'righteousness'.htm">In Romans 4:3, how can Abraham’s faith be considered “righteousness” when James 2:21–24 suggests a different view of his justification? </a> <a href="/q/what_are_imputed_and_imparted_righteousness.htm">What are imputed and imparted righteousness?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_abrahamic_family_house.htm">What is the Abrahamic Family House?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) The Apostle gives a proof of this from Scripture. Abraham was not justified by works, and therefore had nothing to boast of in God's sight. He was justified by faith. His righteousness was not real, but imputed. His faith was treated as if it had been equivalent to a righteousness of works. It met with the same acceptance in the sight of God that a righteousness of works would have done. But--the argument goes on--faith carries with it no such idea of merit or debt as works. It is met by a pure act of grace on the part of God.Abraham believed God.--The quotation is taken from <a href="/genesis/15-6.htm" title="And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.">Genesis 15:6</a>, where it appears as a comment upon Abraham's belief in the promise that he should have a numerous posterity. The same passage is elaborately commented upon by Philo and others, so that it would seem to have been a common topic in the Jewish schools. It should be noticed that the word "faith" is not used in quite the same sense in the original and in the application. In Abraham's case it was trust in the fulfilment of the divine promise, in St. Paul's sense it is rather enthusiastic adhesion to a person. This is part of the general enlargement and deepening of the Old Testament terminology by St. Paul. A writer of less profundity (though marked by striking and elevated qualities), the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, applies the word more strictly. (See <a href="/hebrews/11-8.htm" title="By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he went.">Hebrews 11:8</a> et seq.) In <a href="/james/2-23.htm" title="And the scripture was fulfilled which said, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.">James 2:23</a> the word has the still thinner meaning of a merely intellectual assent. St Paul quotes the same passage in the same sense as here in <a href="/galatians/3-6.htm" title="Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.">Galatians 3:6</a>. (See Excursus B: On the Meaning of the word Faith.)It was counted unto him.--It should be observed that the same words are translated by the Authorised version here, "it was counted unto him;" in <a href="/romans/4-9.htm" title="Comes this blessedness then on the circumcision only, or on the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.">Romans 4:9</a>, "faith was reckoned to Abraham;" in <a href="/romans/4-22.htm" title="And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.">Romans 4:22</a>, "it was imputed unto him;" in <a href="/galatians/3-6.htm" title="Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.">Galatians 3:6</a>, "it was accounted to him;" in <a href="/james/2-23.htm" title="And the scripture was fulfilled which said, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.">James 2:23</a>, "it was imputed to him." A defect in the translation, which, however, hardly obscures the true meaning. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned Unto him for righteousness. This notable text (<a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Genesis 15:6</a>), declaring the ground of Abraham's acceptance, is similarly quoted in the cognate passage, <a href="/galatians/3-6.htm">Galatians 3:6</a>. It has a peculiar cogency in the general argument from being in connection with, and with reference to, one of the Divine promises to Abraham of an unnumbered seed; so that it may be understood with an extended application to those who were to inherit the blessing, as well as to the "father of the faithful," and so declaring the principle of justification for all the "children of the promise." Further, it would be peculiarly telling as addressed to the Jews, who made such a point of their descent from Abraham as the root of all their position of privilege (cf. <a href="/psalms/105-6.htm">Psalm 105:6</a>; <a href="/isaiah/41-8.htm">Isaiah 41:8</a>; <a href="/isaiah/51-2.htm">Isaiah 51:2</a>; <a href="/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9</a>; <a href="/luke/3-8.htm">Luke 3:8</a>; <a href="/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39</a>). The two significant expressions in it are ἐπίστευσε (denoting faith, not works) and ἐλογίσθη εἰς The whole phrase, the apostle proceeds to say, implies that the reward spoken of was not earned, but granted. <a href="/commentaries/romans/4-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. what τί (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. {does} the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Scripture γραφὴ (graphē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1124.htm">Strong's 1124: </a> (a) a writing, (b) a passage of scripture; plur: the scriptures. A document, i.e. Holy Writ. say? λέγει (legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “Abraham Ἀβραὰμ (Abraam) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_11.htm">Strong's 11: </a> Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch. believed Ἐπίστευσεν (Episteusen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust. God, Θεῷ (Theō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. it was credited ἐλογίσθη (elogisthē) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3049.htm">Strong's 3049: </a> To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose. to him αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. as εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. righteousness.” δικαιοσύνην (dikaiosynēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1343.htm">Strong's 1343: </a> From dikaios; equity; specially justification. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/4-3.htm">Romans 4:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/4-3.htm">Romans 4:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/4-3.htm">Romans 4:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/4-3.htm">Romans 4:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/4-3.htm">Romans 4:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/4-3.htm">Romans 4:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/4-3.htm">Romans 4:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/4-3.htm">Romans 4:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/4-3.htm">Romans 4:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/4-3.htm">Romans 4:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/romans/4-3.htm">NT Letters: Romans 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham (Rom. 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