Romans 4:3 – “What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’”

Extended Explanation

Paul asks an important question here: What does the Bible itself say about how Abraham was made right with God? He then quotes Genesis 15:6, which says that Abraham believed God, and because of that faith, God counted him as righteous.

This is a key verse because it directly challenges the idea that righteousness comes from good works or following religious laws. Abraham didn’t earn his right standing with God by doing good deeds or obeying commandments—he was declared righteous simply because he trusted God’s promise.

Paul is using Abraham as the ultimate example to prove that justification (being made right with God) has always been through faith, not human effort. If Abraham, the great forefather of the Jewish people, was justified by faith alone, then this principle applies to everyone, Jew and Gentile alike. This truth forms the foundation of the gospel: salvation comes through faith, not works.

Historical Context

Abraham lived about 2,000 years before Christ, in a time when most people worshiped many gods and tried to earn their favor through rituals and sacrifices. But God called Abraham to leave his home and follow Him (Genesis 12:1-3).

At the time of Genesis 15:6, Abraham was an old man with no children. God had just promised him that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. Humanly speaking, this seemed impossible—he and his wife Sarah were far beyond childbearing years. Yet, despite all logic, Abraham believed God’s promise. That faith, not his actions, was the reason God counted him as righteous.

Paul’s audience—first-century Jews and Gentiles—needed to hear this. Many Jewish believers thought righteousness came from obeying the Law of Moses, but Paul reminds them that Abraham was counted as righteous long before the law even existed (it wasn’t given until about 400 years later). His point? If Abraham was justified by faith alone, so are we.

Theological Implications

This verse establishes one of the most important doctrines in Christianity: justification by faith alone.

• Righteousness is not something we achieve; it is something God gives us when we trust Him.
• Faith, not works, is the key to salvation.
• This principle applies to everyone, not just the Jewish people.

If Abraham had been justified by works, then salvation would be something we could earn. But Paul is clear: it’s all about faith.

This truth also lays the foundation for how we receive salvation through Jesus Christ. Just as Abraham trusted God’s promise and was counted as righteous, we are called to trust in Jesus—the fulfillment of God’s greatest promise.

Literary Analysis

Paul begins with a question: “What does Scripture say?” This is important because Paul is not basing his argument on his own opinion—he is pointing directly to the authority of Scripture.

The phrase “Abraham believed God” is significant. It does not say Abraham worked for righteousness. It does not say he earned it. It simply says he believed.

The phrase “it was credited to him as righteousness” is a financial term. It’s like God put righteousness into Abraham’s spiritual account as a gift. Abraham didn’t work for it—God gave it to him freely because of his faith.

Paul uses this same language later in Romans 4 to explain how believers today receive righteousness not by works, but by trusting in Jesus Christ.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Genesis 15:6 – The original verse that Paul is quoting: “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
• Romans 3:28 – “For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”
• Romans 4:5 – “However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”
• Galatians 3:6-9 – Paul again refers to Abraham’s faith as the model for how all people are justified.
• 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 brings good news: we don’t have to earn God’s approval—we simply believe.

Many people today still believe they have to “be good enough” for God. They think if they go to church, read their Bible, or do enough good deeds, they will somehow earn their way into heaven. But Paul makes it clear: just like Abraham, we are justified by faith, not by works.

This truth brings freedom. We don’t have to live in fear, wondering if we’ve done enough. Instead, we simply trust God’s promises—just as Abraham did.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is shown in the fact that He doesn’t require us to be perfect before He accepts us. If righteousness came by works, only the strongest and most disciplined could achieve it. But because it comes by faith, anyone can receive it.

This verse also shows that God is a promise-keeping God. Abraham had nothing but God’s word to hold onto, yet he trusted Him. That same God calls us to trust Him today—and He never fails to keep His promises.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Abraham believed God’s promise about a future offspring (Genesis 15:5), and Paul later reveals that this promise ultimately pointed to Jesus.

• Galatians 3:16 – “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say ‘and to seeds,’ meaning many people, but ‘and to your seed,’ meaning one person, who is Christ.”
• Romans 4:23-25 – Paul explains that just as Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness, our faith in Jesus is credited to us as righteousness.
• John 3:16 – God’s greatest promise fulfilled in Jesus: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Just as Abraham was justified by faith in God’s promise, we are justified by faith in Jesus, the fulfillment of that promise.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think Paul emphasizes faith rather than works in this passage?
2. How does this verse challenge the idea that we can “earn” our salvation?
3. In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God’s promises?
4. What does it mean for you personally that righteousness is a gift, not something you achieve?
5. How does understanding Abraham’s faith help you grow in your own faith in Jesus?

Romans 4:3 is a simple but powerful reminder that righteousness comes through faith, not works. Abraham’s story shows us that God keeps His promises—and the greatest promise of all is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Just as Abraham was justified by faith, so are we. All we have to do is believe.