Devine Scripture

Romans 4:3

What does Romans 4:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 4:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 4:3 means

Paul asks, “What does the Scripture say?” and points to the pivotal testimony: Abraham believed God, and that faith was counted to him for righteousness. The emphasis falls on God’s gracious accounting—He credits righteousness to the believer. Abraham did not earn a status; he received it by trusting God’s promise. This sets the theological center of the chapter: righteousness is imputed, not achieved. The truth honors God’s faithfulness and magnifies His grace, because faith is an open hand, not a wage-claim. Abraham’s trust in God’s word, before any rituals or law-keeping, shows that justification arises from believing God, not from human works or religious badges.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But what does it say in the holy Writings? And Abraham had faith in God, and it was put to his account as righteousness.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for what doth the writing say? `And Abraham did believe God, and it was reckoned to him--to righteousness;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God: and it was reputed to him unto justice.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for what does the scripture say? And Abraham believedGod, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.

Context

Verse 3 is the linchpin. After ruling out boasting, Paul grounds his case in the scriptural declaration about Abraham. From here, verses 4–5 will explain the difference between wages and grace and identify God as the One who justifies the ungodly. Then, in verses 6–8, David’s witness will confirm the blessedness of being counted righteous apart from works. The narrative is moving from Abraham’s example to the general principle and then to corroboration from another key Old Testament voice.

v.2For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God.

v.3This passage

v.4Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt.

Cross references

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

  • Romans 4:11

    and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them;

  • Genesis 15:6

    And he believed in Jehovah; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness.

  • Psalms 106:31

    And that was reckoned unto him for righteousness, Unto all generations for evermore.

  • Romans 4:5

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

  • Romans 11:2

    God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel:

  • Romans 4:9

    Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness.

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