Romans 4 · Verse 23

Romans 4:23

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
Romans 4:23, King James Version

Romans 4:23 in other translations

BSBNow the words “it was credited to him” were written not only for Abraham,
WEBNow it was not written that it was accounted to him for his sake alone,
ASVNow it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him;
YLTAnd it was not written on his account alone, that it was reckoned to him,
DARBYNow it was not written on his account alone that it was reckoned to him,
BBENow, it was not because of him only that this was said,
WebsterNow it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

What does Romans 4:23 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 4:23-25
23-25. Now, &c.--Here is the application of this whole argument about Abraham: These things were not recorded as mere historical facts, but as illustrations for all time of God's method of justification by faith.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 23. Now it was not written. The record of this extraordinary faith was not made on his account only; but it was made to show the way in which men may be regarded and treated as righteous by God. If Abraham was so regarded and treated, then, on the same principle, all others may be. God has but one mode of justifying men.

Imputed. Reckoned; accounted. He was regarded and treated as the friend of God.

(z) "Now it was not written" Rom 15:4, 1Cor 10:11

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone - The fact of Abraham's believing and receiving salvation through that faith is not recorded as a mere circumstance in the patriarch's life, intended to do him honor: see Rom 4:24.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 4:23-25
The history of Abraham, and of his justification, was recorded to teach men of after-ages; those especially to whom the gospel was then made known. It is plain, that we are not justified by the merit of our own works, but by faith in Jesus Christ and his righteousness; which is the truth urged in this and the foregoing chapter, as the great spring and foundation of all comfort. Christ did meritoriously work our justification and salvation by his death and passion, but the power and perfection thereof, with respect to us, depend on his resurrection. By his death he paid our debt, in his resurrection he received our acquittance, Is 53:8. When he was discharged, we, in Him and together with Him, received the discharge from the guilt and punishment of all our sins. This last verse is an abridgement or summary of the whole gospel.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Romans 4:23 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.

ΟὐκOukNotG3756
ἐγράφηegraphēit was writtenG1125
δὲdenowG1161
δι᾽di᾽on account ofG1223
αὐτὸνautonhimG846
μόνονmononaloneG3441
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ἐλογίσθηelogisthēit was creditedG3049
αὐτῷ,autōto him,G846

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

Cross references for Romans 4:23

  • 1 Corinthians 10:11

    Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

  • Romans 15:4

    For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:6

    Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17

    All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:9-10

    For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
15:4; 1Co 9:10; 10:6,11; 2Ti 3:16,17

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

Context

  • Romans 4:22

    And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

  • Romans 4:23

    Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

  • Romans 4:24

    But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

Read all of Romans 4

Romans 4:23 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y no solamente por él fué escrito que le haya sido imputado;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or ce n’est pas pour lui seul qu’il a été écrit que cela lui a été compté,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Es ist aber nicht allein seinetwegen geschrieben, daß es ihm zugerechnet worden,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Non est autem scriptum tantum propter ipsum quia reputatum est illi ad justitiam: