Devine Scripture

Romans 4:6

What does Romans 4:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 4:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 4:6 means

David, Israel’s king and psalmist, declares the happiness of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works. His testimony supports the same principle found in Abraham: blessedness does not come through human achievement but through God’s gracious accounting. By citing David, Paul shows that both the patriarchal and royal lines in Israel agree—right standing with God rests on divine forgiveness and imputation, not on law-keeping. David knew both sin and mercy; his experience underscores that the righteous are those whom God declares righteous. The Old Testament thus harmonizes with Paul’s gospel: God’s people have always lived by grace received through faith.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Even as David also pronounceth blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Even as David also pronounceth blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

As David says that there is a blessing on the man to whose account God puts righteousness without works, saying,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

even as David also doth speak of the happiness of the man to whom God doth reckon righteousness apart from works:

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

As David also termeth the blessedness of a man to whom God reputeth justice without works:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Even as David also declares the blessedness of the man to whomGod reckons righteousness without works:

Context

Having asserted that God justifies the ungodly, Paul appeals to David as a second witness. Verses 6–8 echo David’s description of blessedness, focusing on forgiveness and the non-imputation of sin. This ties the doctrine of justification by faith to the lived experience of a revered Israelite king. After establishing this shared testimony, Paul will, in verses 9–12, tackle the scope of this blessing—whether it is limited to the circumcised or extends to the uncircumcised also.

v.5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.

v.6This passage

v.7saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered.

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 45:24

    Only in Jehovah, it is said of me, is righteousness and strength; even to him shall men come; and all they that were incensed against him shall be put to shame.

  • Romans 3:27

    Where then is the glorying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? of works? Nay: but by a law of faith.

  • 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.

  • Romans 5:18

    So then as through one trespass the judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness the free gift came unto all men to justification of life.

  • Romans 4:24

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

  • Deuteronomy 33:29

    Happy art thou, O Israel: Who is like unto thee, a people saved by Jehovah, The shield of thy help, And the sword of thy excellency! And thine enemies shall submit themselves unto thee; And thou shalt tread upon their high places.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Romans 4

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Romans 4.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Romans 4:6.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary