Romans 4:1-8: a reflection

1What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh? 2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not toward God. 3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 4Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as something owed. 5But to him who doesn’t work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness. 6Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8Blessed is the man whom the Lord will by no means charge with sin.”

Paul points to Abraham to show how a person is made right with God, and the answer is faith, not works. What does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Abraham was not counted righteous because of his works, as though he had earned it; he was counted righteous because he believed God. And Paul draws the principle out: to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness. Righteousness is credited to the one who believes, not earned by the one who works.

Notice how righteousness is received: credited by faith, not earned by works. If Abraham had been justified by works, Paul says, he would have something to boast about; the reward would be owed to him, as wages are owed to a worker. But righteousness is not earned like wages; it is credited as a gift to the one who believes. To the one who trusts God, who justifies the ungodly, faith itself is counted as righteousness. Righteousness comes not by earning, as a wage, but by believing, as a gift; it is credited to faith, not paid for works.

That is the heart of the good news, and worth resting in: that we are counted righteous through faith, not by earning it. We can imagine we must earn our standing with God by our works, piling up good deeds to be counted righteous; but Paul says righteousness is credited to faith, not earned by works, as it was credited to Abraham who believed. Do not try to earn your righteousness before God by your works, as though it were a wage to be paid; receive it as a gift, credited to faith, trusting in the God who justifies the ungodly. Blessed, David says, is the one whose sins are forgiven, whose iniquity the Lord does not count against him; this blessing comes not by earning but by believing. Rest in being counted righteous through faith, as Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness, rather than trying to earn what God gives freely to those who trust him.

Lord, Paul points to Abraham to show how a person is made right with you, and the answer is faith, not works. What does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Abraham was not counted righteous because of his works; he was counted righteous because he believed you. And Paul draws the principle out: to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness. Righteousness is credited to the one who believes, not earned by the one who works. Show me how righteousness is received: credited by faith, not earned by works. If Abraham had been justified by works, he would have something to boast about; but righteousness is not earned like wages; it is credited as a gift to the one who believes. To the one who trusts you, who justify the ungodly, faith itself is counted as righteousness. That is the heart of the good news, and worth resting in: that I am counted righteous through faith, not by earning it. I can imagine I must earn my standing with you by my works, piling up good deeds; but Paul says righteousness is credited to faith. Keep me from trying to earn my righteousness before you by my works, as though it were a wage; help me receive it as a gift, credited to faith, trusting in the God who justifies the ungodly. Help me rest in being counted righteous through faith, Lord, as Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness, rather than trying to earn what you give freely to those who trust you.