[a]For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath wherein to rejoice, but not with God.

[b]For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.

[c]Now to him that [d]worketh, the wages is not [e]counted by favor, but by debt:

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:2 A preventing of an objection: Abraham may well rejoice and extol himself amongst men, but not with God.
  2. Romans 4:3 A confirmation of the proposition: Abraham was justified by imputation of faith, therefore freely without any respect of his works.
  3. Romans 4:4 The first proof of the confirmation, taken of contraries: to him that deserveth anything by his labor, the wages is not counted by favor, but by debt: but to him that hath done nothing, but believeth in him which promiseth freely, faith is imputed.
  4. Romans 4:4 To him that hath deserved anything by his work.
  5. Romans 4:4 Is not reckoned nor given him.

If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.(A) What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[a](B)

Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift(C) but as an obligation.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:3 Gen. 15:6; also in verse 22