Question 1

What does Romans 4:5 mean?

Accepted Answer

Romans 4:5 says that a person who does not rely on their own efforts or good deeds, but instead trusts in God—who declares even the ungodly to be right with Him—has their faith counted as righteousness. This means that being right with God comes through faith, not by earning it through works. Paul is writing to the believers in Rome, explaining how Abraham was considered righteous before God not because of what he did, but because he trusted God. In this verse, Paul emphasizes that God justifies people who are ungodly, not because they have earned it, but because they believe. This teaching is central to Paul’s argument that righteousness is a gift received by faith, not by following religious laws or performing good works.

Question 2

The Greek behind Romans 4:5

Accepted Answer

δικαιῶν (dikaioōn, "justifieth"): This word means to declare someone righteous or in right standing. Here, it highlights that God is the one who makes this declaration, even about those who are "ungodly." ἀσεβῆ (asebē, "ungodly"): This term refers to people who are irreligious or lacking reverence for God. Paul’s use of this word stresses that God’s acceptance is not limited to the morally upright. λογίζεται (logizetai, "counted"): This word means to credit or reckon something to someone’s account. Paul uses it to show that faith, not works, is what God counts as righteousness for a person.

Question 3

Why Romans 4:5 matters

Accepted Answer

Romans 4:5 clarifies that righteousness before God is not something people can earn through their own efforts, but is credited to those who trust in God’s promise. This verse challenges the common assumption that only the morally good or religiously observant can be accepted by God, showing that even the "ungodly" can be justified by faith. Romans 4:5 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—using Abraham as the key example.

Romans 4:5 (KJV)