Devine Scripture

Romans 4:23

What does Romans 4:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 4:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 4:23 means

Paul stresses that the statement about righteousness being reckoned to Abraham was not preserved merely as a historical footnote. Scripture recorded it with ongoing intent. God wants future generations to know how He justifies sinners. The verse signals that Abraham’s story functions as a model and a promise: the way God counted him righteous is the way He will count others righteous. This guards us from treating Abraham as an exception. Instead, he is the pattern. The doctrine of justification by faith, then, is not a new innovation but an ancient truth with present relevance for every believer.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now, it was not because of him only that this was said,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And it was not written on his account alone, that it was reckoned to him,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now it is not written only for him. that it was reputed to him unto justice,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now it was not written on his account alone that it was reckoned to him,

Context

After declaring that Abraham’s faith was reckoned for righteousness, Paul broadens the scope. Verse 23 transitions from narrative to purpose: the record was written for instruction. Verse 24 will specify the beneficiaries—those who believe in God who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. The flow directs readers from Abraham’s faith in promise to Christians’ faith in the God of the resurrection.

v.22Wherefore also it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.

v.23This passage

v.24but for our sake also, unto whom it shall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Timothy 3:16

    Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness:

  • 1 Corinthians 9:9

    For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Is it for the oxen that God careth,

  • Romans 15:4

    For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:6

    Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:11

    Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.

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