But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

ROMANS 4:5KJV
Know the Bible

Romans 4:5 (KJV)

What does Romans 4:5 mean?

Romans 4:5 says that a person who does not rely on their own efforts or good deeds, but instead trusts in God—the one who declares even the ungodly to be right with Him—has their faith counted as righteousness. This means that it is faith, not works, that God recognizes as making someone right before Him.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome, explaining how people are made right with God. He uses Abraham as an example to show that righteousness comes through faith, not by following religious laws or doing good works. Romans 4:5 highlights that God justifies even those who have not lived righteously, if they trust in Him.

The Greek behind Romans 4:5

  • "justifieth" (δικαιόω, dikaioō): This word means to declare someone righteous or in right standing. In this verse, it emphasizes that God is the one who makes the decision to count someone as righteous, regardless of their past.
  • "ungodly" (ἀσεβής, asebēs): This term refers to people who are irreligious or morally wrong. Paul’s use of it underscores that God’s acceptance is not limited to the morally upright but extends even to those considered far from God.
  • "faith" (πίστις, pistis): This word means trust or belief. Here, it is the act of relying on God rather than on one’s own actions.
  • "counted" (λογίζομαι, logizomai): This word means to reckon, credit, or consider. Paul uses it to show that God credits faith as if it were righteousness, treating the believer as if they are right with Him.

Why Romans 4:5 matters

  • Romans 4:5 clarifies that being accepted by God is not about earning it through good deeds, but about trusting in God’s grace.
  • The verse challenges the common idea that only the morally upright can be right with God, showing that even those who have failed can be justified through faith.
  • This teaching connects to Paul’s larger argument in Romans that both Jews and Gentiles are made right with God in the same way—by faith, not by works—making the gospel open to everyone.

Where else these words appear

“ungodly” Greek G765 · used in 8 verses

  • Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
  • 1 Peter 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
  • 2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

“justifieth” Greek G1344 · used in 36 verses

  • Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
  • Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
  • Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

“worketh” Greek G2038 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
  • Acts 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
  • Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

“counted” Greek G3049 · used in 40 verses

  • Mark 11:31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?
  • Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
  • 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.