Romans 4:22 – “This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness.’”

Extended Explanation

This verse wraps up Paul’s discussion about Abraham’s faith and its significance. Paul has spent the previous verses explaining how Abraham trusted in God’s promise, even when the situation seemed impossible. Because Abraham had unwavering faith, God counted it as righteousness.

The phrase “it was credited to him as righteousness” comes from Genesis 15:6, where God declares Abraham righteous because of his faith, not because of his works. This means that Abraham didn’t earn righteousness—he received it as a gift from God simply because he believed.

Paul is making it clear that righteousness comes through faith, not through keeping religious laws or doing good deeds.

This verse highlights two key truths:

1. Faith, not works, makes a person right with God.
2. Righteousness is a gift from God, not something we achieve on our own.

Historical Context

Abraham lived around 2000 BC in a world where people believed they had to appease the gods through sacrifices and good deeds. But God made a different covenant with Abraham—one based on faith.

In Genesis 12:1-3, God first promised Abraham that he would become a great nation. At the time, Abraham was 75 years old and had no children. Years passed, and Abraham was still childless, but God repeated His promise in Genesis 15, telling Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars.

Even though there was no physical evidence that this would happen, Abraham believed God—and that faith was counted as righteousness.

Paul is using Abraham’s story to show that God’s way has always been faith, not works. This was a radical message to Jewish readers who thought righteousness came from obeying the Law of Moses. Paul is proving that God declared Abraham righteous long before the law even existed.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches several foundational truths:

• Righteousness comes through faith, not through good works. Abraham was declared righteous before he did anything religious—before circumcision, before the law, before any good deeds.
• Faith is what matters most to God. Abraham wasn’t perfect, but his trust in God was what counted.
• God’s righteousness is a gift. It is not something we can earn—it is something God credits to us when we trust in Him.
• Faith applies to all people, not just the Jews. Since Abraham was declared righteous before the law, that means faith—not law—is the way to be right with God for both Jews and Gentiles.

This verse destroys any idea that righteousness comes from human effort. Instead, it is completely dependent on trusting in God’s promise.

Literary Analysis

Paul uses a direct quotation from Genesis 15:6, emphasizing that this has always been God’s method for righteousness—through faith.

• “It was credited to him” – This is an accounting term, meaning God put righteousness in Abraham’s “spiritual bank account” purely because of faith.
• “As righteousness” – Abraham did not become righteous by his own deeds. God counted him as righteous because of his belief.

Paul’s wording makes it clear that faith and righteousness are linked—not by human effort, but by God’s declaration.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Genesis 15:6 – “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
• Habakkuk 2:4 – “The righteous shall live by faith.”
• Romans 3:28 – “For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”
• Galatians 3:6-9 – “Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham… So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”
• Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a powerful reminder that we don’t earn our way to God—He declares us righteous when we trust Him.

For today’s believer, this means:

• You don’t have to prove yourself to God. Just like Abraham, you are made right with God through faith, not through religious performance.
• Your salvation is secure. If righteousness comes by faith, then we don’t have to worry about “losing it” by failing to be perfect.
• Faith is what pleases God most. More than good deeds or religious rituals, God wants us to trust in Him completely.
• You can’t earn God’s love—it’s freely given. Righteousness is credited to those who believe, not achieved by human effort.

This verse should give confidence and peace to all who trust in Jesus.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse reveals God’s incredible grace and love:

• God does not require perfection—He requires faith. Abraham was far from perfect, but God still counted him as righteous because of his trust.
• God’s love is unconditional. He does not wait for us to earn His favor—He gives it freely to those who believe.
• God wants to declare people righteous. He is not looking for reasons to reject us—He is looking for people who will simply trust in Him.

This verse shows that God’s love is based on grace, not performance.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Abraham’s faith in God’s promise foreshadows our faith in Jesus Christ:

• Just as Abraham was declared righteous by faith, we are declared righteous by faith in Jesus. (Romans 5:1)
• Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. (Galatians 3:16)
• The righteousness given to Abraham is the same righteousness given to us through Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
• Just as Abraham trusted in God’s word, we trust in Jesus’ finished work on the cross. (Romans 10:9)

Through Jesus, we receive the same righteousness that Abraham did—by faith, not by works.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does it mean that righteousness is “credited” by faith, not earned?
2. How does Abraham’s story challenge the idea that good works make us right with God?
3. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to trust God’s promises?
4. How does this verse give you confidence in your relationship with God?
5. Why is it important to understand that righteousness is a gift, not something we achieve?

Romans 4:22 is a powerful reminder that salvation is not something we earn—it is something we receive through faith. Just as Abraham was counted righteous because he believed, we are counted righteous through faith in Jesus Christ. This is the heart of the gospel: faith in God’s promise leads to righteousness, and that promise is fulfilled in Jesus.