Romans 4:1–4

The Illustration of Justification

4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh,1 has discovered regarding this matter?2 4:2 For if Abraham was declared righteous3 by the works of the law, he has something to boast about—but not before God. 4:3 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited4 to him as righteousness.”5 4:4 Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation.6

1	tn Or “according to natural descent” (BDAG 916 s.v. σάρξ 4).
2	tn Grk “has found?”
3	tn Or “was justified.”
4	tn The term λογίζομαι (logizomai) occurs 11 times in this chapter (vv. 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22, 23, 24). In secular usage it could (a) refer to deliberations of some sort, or (b) in commercial dealings (as virtually a technical term) to “reckoning” or “charging up a debt.” See H. W. Heidland, TDNT 4:284, 290–92.
5	sn A quotation from Gen 15:6.
6	tn Grk “not according to grace but according to obligation.”