Romans 4 · Verse 6

Romans 4:6

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Romans 4:6, King James Version

Romans 4:6 in other translations

BSBAnd David speaks likewise of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
WEBEven as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:
ASVEven as David also pronounceth blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works,
YLTeven as David also doth speak of the happiness of the man to whom God doth reckon righteousness apart from works:
DARBYEven as David also declares the blessedness of the man to whom God reckons righteousness without works:
BBEAs David says that there is a blessing on the man to whose account God puts righteousness without works, saying,
WebsterEven as David also describeth the blessedness of the man to whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

What does Romans 4:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 4:6-8
6-8. David also describeth--"speaketh," "pronounceth." the blessedness of the man unto whom the Lord imputeth righteousness without works--whom, though void of all good works, He, nevertheless, regards and treats as righteous.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 6. Even as David. The apostle, having adduced the example of Abraham to show that the doctrine which he was defending was not new, and contrary to the Old Testament, proceeds to adduce the case of David also; and to show that he understood the same doctrine of justification without works.

Describeth. Speaks of.

The blessedness. The happiness; or the desirable state or condition.

Unto whom God imputeth righteousness. Whom God treats as righteous, or as entitled to his favour in a way different from his conformity to the law. This is found in Ps 32. And the whole scope and design of the psalm is to show the blessedness of the man who is forgiven, and whose sins are not charged on him, but who is freed from the punishment due to his sins. Being thus pardoned, he is treated as a righteous man. And it is evidently in this sense that the apostle uses the expression "imputeth righteousness," i.e. he does not impute, or charge on the man his sins; he reckons and treats him as a pardoned and righteous man, Ps 32:2. He regards him as one who is forgiven and admitted to his favour, and who is to be treated henceforward as though he had not sinned. That is, he partakes of the benefits of Christ's atonement, so as not henceforward to be treated as a sinner, but as a friend of God.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 6 Even as David also, etc. - David, in Psa 32:1, Psa 32:2, gives us also the true notion of this way of justification, i.e. by faith, without the merit of works, where he says: -

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 4:6 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.

καθάπερkathaperjust asG2509
καὶkaialsoG2532
ΔαυὶδDauidDavidG1138
λέγειlegeideclaresG3004
τὸνtontheG3588
μακαρισμὸνmakarismonblessednessG3108
τοῦtouof theG3588
ἀνθρώπουanthrōpoumanG444
ᾧhōto whomG3739
ὁho<the>G3588
θεὸςtheosGodG2316
λογίζεταιlogizetaicreditsG3049
δικαιοσύνηνdikaiosunēnrighteousnessG1343
χωρὶςchōrisapart fromG5565
ἔργων·ergōnworks:G2041

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

Cross references for Romans 4:6

  • 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:

  • 2 Timothy 1:9

    Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

  • Ephesians 2:8-10

    For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

  • Galatians 3:8-9

    And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:30

    But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

    For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  • Isaiah 45:24-25

    Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

  • Romans 3:20-22

    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:

  • Romans 5:18-19

    Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

  • Galatians 3:14

    That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

  • Ephesians 1:3

    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

  • Romans 1:17

    For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
blessedness.
9; De 33:29; Ps 1:1-3; 112:1; 146:5,6; Mt 5:3-12; Ga 3:8,9,14; 4:15
Eph 1:3
imputeth.
11,24; 1:17; 3:22; 5:18,19; Isa 45:24,25; 54:17; Jer 22:6; 33:16
Da 9:24; 1Co 1:30; 2Co 5:21; Php 3:9; 2Pe 1:1
without.
3:20,21,27; Eph 2:8-10; 2Ti 1:9

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

Context

  • Romans 4:5

    But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

  • Romans 4:6

    Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

  • Romans 4:7

    Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

Read all of Romans 4

Romans 4:6 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Como también David dice ser bienaventurado el hombre al cual Dios atribuye justicia sin obras,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		ainsi que David aussi exprime la béatitude de l’homme à qui Dieu compte la justice sans œuvres:
German
Elberfelder 1871		Gleichwie auch David die Glückseligkeit des Menschen ausspricht, welchem Gott Gerechtigkeit ohne Werke zurechnet:
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Sicut et David dicit beatitudinem hominis, cui Deus accepto fert justitiam sine operibus: