Thematic Bible




Romans 4:1 (show verse)

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather humanly speaking, has found? [Has he obtained a favored standing?]

Romans 4:2 (show verse)

For if Abraham was justified [that is, acquitted from the guilt of his sins] by works [those things he did that were good], he has something to boast about, but not before God.

Romans 4:3 (show verse)

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed in (trusted, relied on) God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness (right living, right standing with God).”

Romans 4:4 (show verse)

Now to a laborer, his wages are not credited as a favor or a gift, but as an obligation [something owed to him].

Romans 4:5 (show verse)

But to the one who does not work [that is, the one who does not try to earn his salvation by doing good], but believes and completely trusts in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God).

Romans 4:6 (show verse)

And in this same way David speaks of the blessing on the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

Romans 4:7 (show verse)


Blessed and happy and favored are those whose lawless acts have been forgiven,
And whose sins have been covered up and completely buried.

Romans 4:8 (show verse)


Blessed and happy and favored is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account nor charge against him.”

Romans 4:9 (show verse)

Is this blessing only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say, “Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.”

Romans 4:10 (show verse)

How then was it credited [to him]? Was it after he had been circumcised, or before? Not after, but while [he was] uncircumcised.

Romans 4:11 (show verse)

He received the sign of circumcision, a seal or confirmation of the righteousness which he had by faith while [he was still] uncircumcised—this was so that he would be the [spiritual] father of all who believe without being circumcised—so that righteousness would be credited to them,

Romans 4:12 (show verse)

and [that he would be] the [spiritual] father of those circumcised who are not only circumcised, but who also walk in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had before he was circumcised.

Romans 4:13 (show verse)

For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through [observing the requirements of] the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Romans 4:14 (show verse)

If those who are [followers] of the Law are [the true] heirs [of Abraham], then faith [leading to salvation] is of no effect and void, and the promise [of God] is nullified.

Romans 4:15 (show verse)

For the Law results in [God’s] wrath [against sin], but where there is no law, there is no violation [of it either].

Romans 4:16 (show verse)

Therefore, [inheriting] the promise depends entirely on faith [that is, confident trust in the unseen God], in order that it may be given as an act of grace [His unmerited favor and mercy], so that the promise will be [legally] guaranteed to all the descendants [of Abraham]—not only for those [Jewish believers] who keep the Law, but also for those [Gentile believers] who share the faith of Abraham, who is the [spiritual] father of us all—

Romans 4:17 (show verse)

(as it is written [in Scripture], “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the sight of Him in whom he believed, that is, God who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

Romans 4:18 (show verse)

In hope against hope Abraham believed that he would become a father of many nations, as he had been promised [by God]: “So [numberless] shall your descendants be.”

Romans 4:19 (show verse)

Without becoming weak in faith he considered his own body, now as good as dead [for producing children] since he was about a hundred years old, and [he considered] the deadness of Sarah’s womb.

Romans 4:20 (show verse)

But he did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God,

Romans 4:21 (show verse)

being fully convinced that God had the power to do what He had promised.

Romans 4:22 (show verse)

Therefore his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God).

Romans 4:23 (show verse)

Now not for his sake alone was it written that it was credited to him,

Romans 4:24 (show verse)

but for our sake also—to whom righteousness will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead—

Romans 4:25 (show verse)

who was betrayed and crucified because of our sins, and was raised [from the dead] because of our justification [our acquittal—absolving us of all sin before God].