Romans 4:7
What does Romans 4:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 4:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 4:7 means
David describes the blessed state of those whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. The imagery is rich: God does not expose and condemn the repentant sinner; He covers the guilt so it no longer accuses. This covering is not a human disguise but a divine act of mercy. The emphasis falls on God’s initiative—He forgives; He covers. Blessedness, therefore, is not the reward of flawless performance but the gift of pardoned transgression. Such language fits Paul’s argument perfectly: righteousness counted apart from works manifests as real forgiveness that removes the barrier between God and the sinner.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Happy are those who have forgiveness for their wrongdoing, and whose sins are covered.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Happy they whose lawless acts were forgiven, and whose sins were covered;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven: and whose sins are covered.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Blessed [they] whose lawlessnesses have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered:
Context
This verse continues Paul’s citation of David to define true blessedness. It explains the content of the blessing mentioned in verse 6: forgiveness and the covering of sin. The next verse will add the idea of non-imputation, completing the triad of mercy terms. With David’s testimony established, Paul will turn in verse 9 to ask who receives this blessing—those marked by circumcision only, or also those without it—advancing his argument about the universality of justification by faith.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Micah 7:18
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in lovingkindness.
- Luke 7:47
Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
- Psalms 32:1
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
- Matthew 9:2
And behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven.
- Isaiah 40:1
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
- Jeremiah 33:8
And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned against me, and whereby they have transgressed against me.
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