Romans 4:3 Meaning and Explanation
“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul quotes Genesis: Abraham trusted God's promise, and that trust was credited to him as righteousness.
What Does Romans 4:3 Mean?
Paul appeals to Scripture itself, citing Genesis 15:6. Long before the law was given, before circumcision, God made a promise and Abraham believed it. That belief is what Scripture singles out and remembers.
The word 'counted' belongs to the language of accounting: God reckoned Abraham's faith as righteousness. Here is the heart of the gospel in a single sentence. Righteousness is not first something we manufacture but something credited by God to those who trust Him. This same trust, Paul will show, is what God still honors. To take God at His word, to lean the whole weight of one's life on His promise, is the response He receives and blesses.
Romans 4:3 in the Original Language
logizomai (λογίζομαι), 'counted' -- to reckon or credit to one's account.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 4:3
What does Romans 4:3 mean?
Paul quotes Genesis: Abraham trusted God's promise, and that trust was credited to him as righteousness.