Romans 4 · Verse 2

Romans 4:2

For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

Romans 4:2, King James Version

Romans 4:2 in other translations

BSB	If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God.
WEB	For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not toward God.
ASV	For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God.
YLT	for if Abraham by works was declared righteous, he hath to boast--but not before God;
DARBY	For if Abraham has been justified on the principle of works, he has whereof to boast: but not before God;
BBE	For if Abraham got righteousness by works, he has reason for pride; but not before God.
Webster	For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory, but not before God.

What does Romans 4:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 4:1-3

Ro 4:1-25. The Foregoing Doctrine of Justification by Faith Illustrated from the Old Testament. First: Abraham was justified by faith. 1-3. What shall we say then that Abraham, our father as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?--that is, (as the order in the original shows), "hath found, as pertaining to ('according to,' or 'through') the flesh"; meaning, "by all his natural efforts or legal obedience."

Read the full comment on Romans 4:1-3 →

Barnes' Notes

Verse 2. For if Abraham, etc. This is the answer of the apostle. If Abraham was justified on the ground of his own merits, he would have reason to boast, or to claim praise. He might regard himself as the author of it, and take the praise to himself. Rom 4:4. The inquiry therefore was, whether in the account of the justification of Abraham there was to be found any such statement of a reason for self-confidence and boasting.

But not before God. In the sight of God. That is, in his recorded judgment he had no ground of boasting on account of works. To show this, the apostle appeals at once to the Scriptures, to show that there was no such record as that Abraham could boast that he was justified by his works. As God judges right in all cases, so it follows that Abraham had no just ground of boasting, and of course that he was not justified by his own works. The sense of this verse is well expressed by Calvin. "If Abraham was justified by his works, he might boast of his own merits. But he has no ground of boasting before God. Therefore he was not justified by works."

(h) "not before God" Rom 3:27

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 2 For if Abraham were justified by works - The Jew proceeds: - I conclude, therefore, that Abraham was justified by works, or by his obedience to this law of circumcision; and, consequently, he has cause for glorying, καυχημα, to exult in something which he has done to entitle him to these blessings. Now, it is evident that he has this glorying, and consequently that he was justified by works. Apostle. But not before God - These seem to be the apostle's words, and contain the beginning of his answer to the arguments of the Jew, as if he had said: - Allowing that Abraham might glory in being called from heathenish darkness into such marvellous light, and exult in the privileges which God had granted to him; yet this glorying was not before God as a reason why those privileges should be granted; the glorying itself being a consequence of these very privileges.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 4:1-12

Chapter Outline The doctrine of justification by faith is shown by the case of Abraham. (1-12) He received the promise through the righteousness of faith. (13-22) And we are justified in the same way of believing. (23-25) Verses 1-12 To meet the views of the Jews, the apostle first refers to the example of Abraham, in whom the Jews gloried as their most renowned forefather. However exalted in various respects, he…

Read the full comment on Romans 4:1-12 →

Romans 4:2 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

εἰeiIfG1487

γὰρgarforG1063

ἈβραὰμAbraamAbrahamG11

ἐξexbyG1537

ἔργωνergōnworksG2041

ἐδικαιώθη,edikaiōthēwas justified,G1344

ἔχειecheihe hasG2192

καύχημαkauchēmaground of boastingG2745

ἀλλ᾽all᾽butG235

οὐounotG3756

πρὸςprostowardG4314

θεόν.theonGod.G2316

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 4:2

1 Corinthians 1:31
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
2 Corinthians 11:30
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
Philippians 3:9
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Ephesians 2:9
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Galatians 3:22
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
1 Corinthians 9:16
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
Galatians 6:13-14
For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
1 Corinthians 1:29
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
Romans 3:20-28
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; …
2 Corinthians 12:1-9
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. …
Romans 15:17
I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Abraham.
3:20-28; Php 3:9
he hath.
3:27; 15:17; Eze 8:9; Jer 9:23,24; 1Co 9:16; 2Co 5:12; 11:12,30
2Co 12:1-9; Ga 6:13,14; Eph 2:9
but.
Ge 12:12,13,18,20; 20:9-13; Jos 24:2; 1Co 1:29; 4:7; Ga 3:22

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Romans 4:1
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
Romans 4:2
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Romans 4:3
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Read all of Romans 4

Romans 4:2 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Que si Abraham fué justificado por la obras, tiene de qué gloriarse; mas no para con Dios.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Car si Abraham a été justifié sur le principe des œuvres, il a de quoi se glorifier, mais non pas relativement à Dieu;
German Elberfelder 1871	Denn wenn Abraham aus Werken gerechtfertigt worden ist, so hat er etwas zum Rühmen, aber nicht vor Gott.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Si enim Abraham ex operibus justificatus est, habet gloriam, sed non apud Deum.