Romans 4:22 - Therefore it also was “credited to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:6
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What does "Romans 4:22" mean?
Romans 4:22 is part of Paul's argument in the book of Romans about how people are justified (declared righteous) before God. To understand verse 22, we need to look at the context of Romans 4 and Genesis 15:6.
Context of Genesis 15:6
Abraham's Faith: God promised Abraham he would have descendants as numerous as the stars, even though Abraham and Sarah were old and childless.
Abraham's Belief: Genesis 15:6 says, "And he believed in the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness." In other words, Abraham believed God's promise, and God credited (or reckoned, accounted) that belief to him as righteousness. Abraham was declared righteous not because of anything he did, but because he believed God.
Context of Romans 4
Paul's Argument: Paul uses Abraham as a prime example to show that justification (being declared righteous) comes through faith, not through works of the law. He argues that Abraham was declared righteous before he was circumcised (a key sign of the Mosaic Law), therefore circumcision could not have been the basis of his righteousness.
Emphasis on Faith: Paul emphasizes that Abraham's faith was the basis of his righteousness. He highlights the point that Abraham didn't earn his righteousness by his actions or obedience to laws, but rather he received it as a gift because he believed God.
Application to Gentiles: Paul applies this principle to both Jews and Gentiles. He argues that salvation is available to anyone who has faith in Jesus Christ, regardless of whether they are Jews (descendants of Abraham) or Gentiles.
Meaning of Romans 4:22: "Therefore it also was 'credited to him for righteousness.' Genesis 15:6"
This verse summarizes the core point Paul is making:
"Therefore..." This connects back to the preceding verses, summarizing the argument about Abraham's faith.
"It also was credited to him for righteousness..." This reaffirms the point that Abraham's faith was the reason God declared him righteous. God imputed righteousness to Abraham, meaning he credited it to Abraham's account as if Abraham had perfectly fulfilled God's righteous standards.
"...Genesis 15:6" This is a direct reference to the Old Testament verse that establishes the basis for Paul's argument. He's saying, "This is not my idea; this is what the scripture itself says."
In essence, Romans 4:22, in the context of the chapter, means:
Abraham's example shows that justification is based on faith, not works.
God credited Abraham with righteousness because of his faith in God's promise.
This principle applies to all who believe in God's promise, which is now revealed through Jesus Christ. Just as Abraham believed God, we are called to believe in Jesus Christ. Our faith is credited to us as righteousness, making us right with God.
Key Takeaway:
The verse is crucial because it demonstrates the foundation of salvation: we are declared righteous (justified) by God not through our own merit or works, but through faith in Him and His promises (fulfilled in Jesus Christ). Our faith is the means by which God credits the righteousness of Christ to us, making us acceptable in His sight.
Romans 4:22 - Therefore it also was “credited to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:6
What does "Romans 4:22" mean?
Romans 4:22 is part of Paul's argument in the book of Romans about how people are justified (declared righteous) before God. To understand verse 22, we need to look at the context of Romans 4 and Genesis 15:6.
Context of Genesis 15:6
Abraham's Faith: God promised Abraham he would have descendants as numerous as the stars, even though Abraham and Sarah were old and childless.
Abraham's Belief: Genesis 15:6 says, "And he believed in the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness." In other words, Abraham believed God's promise, and God credited (or reckoned, accounted) that belief to him as righteousness. Abraham was declared righteous not because of anything he did, but because he believed God.
Context of Romans 4
Paul's Argument: Paul uses Abraham as a prime example to show that justification (being declared righteous) comes through faith, not through works of the law. He argues that Abraham was declared righteous before he was circumcised (a key sign of the Mosaic Law), therefore circumcision could not have been the basis of his righteousness.
Emphasis on Faith: Paul emphasizes that Abraham's faith was the basis of his righteousness. He highlights the point that Abraham didn't earn his righteousness by his actions or obedience to laws, but rather he received it as a gift because he believed God.
Application to Gentiles: Paul applies this principle to both Jews and Gentiles. He argues that salvation is available to anyone who has faith in Jesus Christ, regardless of whether they are Jews (descendants of Abraham) or Gentiles.
Meaning of Romans 4:22: "Therefore it also was 'credited to him for righteousness.' Genesis 15:6"
This verse summarizes the core point Paul is making:
"Therefore..." This connects back to the preceding verses, summarizing the argument about Abraham's faith.
"It also was credited to him for righteousness..." This reaffirms the point that Abraham's faith was the reason God declared him righteous. God imputed righteousness to Abraham, meaning he credited it to Abraham's account as if Abraham had perfectly fulfilled God's righteous standards.
"...Genesis 15:6" This is a direct reference to the Old Testament verse that establishes the basis for Paul's argument. He's saying, "This is not my idea; this is what the scripture itself says."
In essence, Romans 4:22, in the context of the chapter, means:
Abraham's example shows that justification is based on faith, not works.
God credited Abraham with righteousness because of his faith in God's promise.
This principle applies to all who believe in God's promise, which is now revealed through Jesus Christ. Just as Abraham believed God, we are called to believe in Jesus Christ. Our faith is credited to us as righteousness, making us right with God.
Key Takeaway:
The verse is crucial because it demonstrates the foundation of salvation: we are declared righteous (justified) by God not through our own merit or works, but through faith in Him and His promises (fulfilled in Jesus Christ). Our faith is the means by which God credits the righteousness of Christ to us, making us acceptable in His sight.