An Expert Breakdown of Romans 4:3: Faith Counts as Righteousness

Abraham’s Faith and God’s Promise in Context

Paul points back to Abraham to show that being right with God has always been about faith, not religious performance.

In Genesis 15:6, we read, 'Abraham believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness' - a verse Paul quotes in Romans 4:3 to prove his point. At that moment, Abraham wasn’t perfect or fully obedient. He trusted God’s promise that he would have descendants, even though he and Sarah were too old. Paul uses this to argue that Abraham was made right with God *before* he was circumcised and *apart from the law*, showing that faith alone is the foundation.

This sets the stage for Paul’s larger argument: if Abraham was accepted by faith, then both Jews and non-Jews who believe in God’s promises through Jesus are included in that same blessing.

The Meaning of 'Counted as Righteousness' in Greek and Theology

Building on Abraham’s example, Paul zeroes in on the powerful phrase 'it was counted to him as righteousness,' unpacking its deep theological meaning.

The Greek word used here, *elogisthē* (ἐλογίσθη), means 'was credited,' 'reckoned,' or 'counted' - like something entered into a ledger. Abraham did not become inherently righteous through his actions. Instead, God credited righteousness to him because of his trust. This idea is central to the doctrine of justification: God declares us righteous not because of our goodness, but because we believe His promise - He treats us as right with Him even while we’re still sinners. This change is legal or positional, not merely a feeling or suggestion.

Paul is directly countering a common belief in his day that being right with God depended on keeping religious laws or rituals like circumcision. By showing that Abraham was counted righteous *before* those signs existed, he proves that faith alone is the root. This 'imputed' righteousness - given as a gift, not earned - is echoed later in 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.'

This concept transforms how we see our relationship with God: it’s based on trust, not tallying up good deeds. And it opens the door for everyone - Jew or non-Jew - to receive the same gift Abraham did.

To be 'counted righteous' isn’t about becoming perfect, but about being treated as if we’re in the right - with God - because of our faith, not our record.

This understanding of faith as the basis for being right with God sets up Paul’s next point: how Jesus’ Resurrection seals that promise for us today.

Faith, Not Performance, Is the Heart of Being Right with God Today

The idea that God counts faith as righteousness is not merely ancient history. It is the fundamental basis of our relationship with God today.

Back then, many thought being right with God depended on keeping religious rules or doing enough good things. But Paul makes it clear that Abraham was accepted by faith alone, long before the law or circumcision, showing this truth has always been at the heart of God’s plan.

We’re made right with God not by trying harder, but by trusting Him - just like Abraham did.

That same gift is offered to us now: when we believe in God who raised Jesus from the dead, our faith is counted as righteousness (Romans 4:24). We don’t have to earn acceptance - God gives it freely to those who trust Him. This good news is for everyone, not only a select group, because faith, rather than performance, opens the door to God’s grace.

Faith Counted as Righteousness: A Biblical Theme from Abraham to Us

This truth - that God counts faith as righteousness - resonates throughout Scripture, shaping how we understand salvation from Genesis to the apostles.

Paul echoes this in Galatians 3:6, saying, 'Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' clarifying that those who rely on faith, rather than law-keeping, are Abraham’s true children. James 2:23, however, adds depth: 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God’s friend - showing that faith was active in his obedience. While Paul emphasizes faith apart from works as the basis for being right with God, James highlights that real faith naturally results in action. They are not contradicting, but completing each other.

Together, these passages show that justification by faith alone doesn’t mean faith is alone - it lives and moves. Abraham’s belief wasn’t passive. He obeyed when called, even offering Isaac later, because he trusted God’s promise (Hebrews 11:17-19). The same faith that was credited to Abraham is available to us through Jesus, who was 'delivered over for our sins and raised to life for our justification' (Romans 4:25). This unearned righteousness should humble us: no one earns favor, so no one can look down on another.

In everyday life, this means we stop keeping score - both personally and in church. We extend grace freely because we’ve received it freely, welcoming all who trust Christ, regardless of background or past. Our confidence isn’t in how well we perform, but in how fully God has accepted us.

True faith always produces action, but it’s never earned by it - Abraham believed first, and his obedience followed.

And because we’re secure in His gift, we’re free to love boldly, serve joyfully, and grow in holiness - not to earn God’s love, but because we already have it.

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