Romans 4:5 – “However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”

Extended Explanation

This verse is one of the clearest statements in the Bible about how a person is made right with God. Paul contrasts two ways of thinking about righteousness:

1. The way of works – Trying to earn righteousness by doing good deeds.
2. The way of faith – Trusting in God to declare us righteous.

Paul states that righteousness is not something we earn. Instead, it is credited (or counted) to those who trust in God, even though they are ungodly. This means that salvation is not based on personal goodness but on faith in God’s promise.

The word “ungodly” is especially powerful here. It means that God justifies (declares righteous) people who don’t deserve it. This is the very heart of the gospel: we don’t clean ourselves up first and then come to God. Instead, God meets us in our sin and saves us through faith.

Historical Context

Paul is writing to both Jews and Gentiles, many of whom believed that righteousness came through obedience to religious laws. Many Jewish people at the time thought that by keeping the Law of Moses—following the commandments, offering sacrifices, and doing good deeds—they could earn a right standing with God.

Paul challenges this idea by pointing to Abraham’s faith. Abraham was declared righteous before he did any religious works (Genesis 15:6). Paul is saying that just as Abraham was justified by faith, so are we—whether Jew or Gentile, religious or not.

This was a radical message in Paul’s day. It meant that even those who had lived ungodly lives could be saved simply by trusting in God. This is why Christianity spread so quickly—it offered salvation to all people, regardless of their past.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches one of the most important truths in Christianity: Justification by faith alone.

• Righteousness is a gift, not a reward. If we could earn it, God would owe it to us. But because we can’t, He gives it freely to those who trust Him.
• God justifies the ungodly. This shows His grace—He saves sinners, not people who think they are already righteous.
• Faith, not works, is what matters. Paul is saying that people are not saved by their religious efforts but by trusting in God.

This truth is crucial because it means that anyone can be saved—not just the morally upright or religiously devout. Salvation is available to all who believe, no matter their past.

Literary Analysis

Paul uses a contrast here:

• “The one who does not work” – This doesn’t mean Christians should be lazy or avoid good works. It means that righteousness is not something we earn.
• “Trusts God who justifies the ungodly” – This is the shocking part. Paul is saying that God doesn’t just save the good, religious people. He saves the ungodly—those who have rebelled against Him.
• “Their faith is credited as righteousness” – The word credited (Greek: logizomai) is an accounting term. It means to place something into someone’s account. This means that when we trust in God, He puts righteousness into our account, even though we didn’t earn it.

This reinforces the idea that righteousness is received, not achieved.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Genesis 15:6 – “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (The verse Paul is building his argument on.)
• Romans 3:28 – “For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”
• 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.”
• Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”
• Luke 18:13-14 – Jesus’ parable of the tax collector who humbly asked for mercy and was justified, rather than the self-righteous Pharisee.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is incredibly freeing. It tells us that we don’t have to earn God’s approval—we simply trust Him. Many people today still think that being a Christian means following rules, doing good deeds, and trying to be a “better person.” While good works are important, they are the result of salvation, not the cause of it.

For Christians, this means we can live in peace knowing that our righteousness is secure in Christ. We don’t have to live in fear, wondering if we’ve done enough. Instead, we simply trust in God’s promise and rest in His grace.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse highlights God’s incredible love. Unlike human systems of justice, where people get what they deserve, God declares the ungodly righteous simply because of faith.

• God doesn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up before He saves us. He meets us in our brokenness.
• His love isn’t conditional—it doesn’t depend on how good we are but on how good He is.
• His grace is available to everyone, even those who feel unworthy.

This verse is a reminder that God’s love is bigger than our failures. He loves us not because we are righteous, but because He is.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse ties directly to Jesus’ mission. The reason God can justify the ungodly is because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

• Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
• 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.”
• Galatians 3:13 – “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.”
• John 3:16 – “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.”

Jesus took the punishment we deserved so that we could receive His righteousness as a free gift. This is the great exchange—our sin for His righteousness. This is why faith in Jesus is enough—because He already did all the work.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why is it important that God justifies the ungodly, not just the righteous?
2. How does this verse challenge the idea that people can earn their way to heaven?
3. In what ways do people today still try to work for their salvation?
4. How does knowing that righteousness is a gift change your relationship with God?
5. How does this truth encourage you to share the gospel with others?

Romans 4:5 is a simple but powerful truth: We are not saved by what we do, but by trusting in what God has done for us. He justifies the ungodly, not because of their works, but because of faith in Him. This is the good news of the gospel, and it is available to everyone who believes.