Romans 4:5
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Romans 4:5
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Chapter Context
Romans 4 is a theological epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of grace, righteousness, faith. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 57 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Christians in Rome navigated tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers under imperial watch.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-25: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Romans and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Romans 4:5
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Analysis
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Paul now states positively what he established negatively: the one not working (mē ergazomenō, μὴ ἐργαζομένῳ) but believing has faith credited as righteousness. The object of faith is crucial: ton dikaiounta ton asebē (τὸν δικαιοῦντα τὸν ἀσεβῆ, "the one justifying the ungodly"). This phrase would have been scandalous—Exodus 23:7 and Proverbs 17:15 explicitly condemn justifying the wicked. Yet Paul declares God does precisely this!
The resolution is Christ's substitutionary atonement: God maintains his justice by punishing sin in Christ, while simultaneously justifying sinners who trust in Christ. The "ungodly" (asebēs, ἀσεβής) are those without inherent righteousness, the impious—yet these are the objects of God's justifying grace. This is the gospel's scandal: God declares righteous those who are in themselves unrighteous, based on faith in the One who bore their sin. Abraham models this: he believed while still uncircumcised (v. 10), before proving his faith through Isaac (Gen 22).
Historical Context
Jewish theology distinguished between the righteous and the wicked, with God vindicating the former and judging the latter. For Paul to claim that God justifies the ungodly overturns this moral calculus—unless Christ's atoning death satisfies both divine justice and divine mercy. This would have been Paul's most controversial claim: that Gentile sinners and Torah-less people could be declared righteous through faith alone.
Reflection
- What does it reveal about the gospel that God justifies 'the ungodly' rather than rewarding the righteous?
- How does this verse define what faith is—not meritorious work but trust in the God who justifies sinners?
- Why is it so difficult for religious people to accept that justification comes to those who do 'not work' but believe?
Word Studies
- Righteous: δίκαιος (Dikaios) G1343 - Righteous, just
Cross-References
- Faith: Romans 3:22, 4:3, Habakkuk 2:4, John 5:24, 6:29, Philippians 3:9
- Righteousness: Romans 10:3