Romans 4:23
in Romans 4Now the words “it was credited to him” were written not only for Abraham,
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him;
KJV
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
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This verse in Romans 4
Commentary
12 notes on this verseBut I should like to inquire into this: whether it is only for this reason that the Apostle says that "it was not written for the sake of" Abraham "alone, but for our sake also," namely, because he said, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness." Do you suppose that this saying alone, out of all the things that are said about Abraham, was written not for his sake only, but for ours as well? Or will certain other things also appear to have been written not for his sake only, but for ours too?
This site's exposition
it was credited to him
on Romans 4:23-25
Genesis 15:6 was written with later readers in view. The same crediting falls on everyone who believes in Him who raised Jesus from the dead. Verse 25 names the ground: He was delivered over for trespasses and raised for justification, His death answering sin and His resurrection sealing the verdict.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers3 voices
A commentator
Origen of AlexandriaCOMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS · Written before 253.
proposed
"Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned to him for righteousness, but for our sake also, to whom it shall be reckoned, believing in him who raised up Jesus Christ our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up for our offenses, and rose again for our justification." In this place, what he says, "not for his sake alone," is to be understood as "concerning him"; and again what he says, "but for our sake also," this is, "and concerning us." For it is manifest that this which is said, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness," Moses did not write in order that Abraham might read it, who had of course long since died, but that we might take from a reading of this sort a profiting in faith, understanding that if we too so believe God as he believed, our faith also shall be reckoned to us for righteousness, "believing in him who raised up Jesus Christ our Lord from the dead."
After saying many great things of Abraham, and his faith, and righteousness, and honor before God, lest the hearer should say, What is this to us, for it is he that was justified? he places us close to the Patriarch again. So great is the power of spiritual words. For of one of the Gentiles, one who was recently come near, one who had done no work, he not only says that he is in nothing inferior to the Jew who believes (i.e. as a Jew), but not even to the Patriarch, but rather, if one must give utterance to the wondrous truth, even much greater. For so noble is our birth, that his faith is but the type of ours. And he does not say, If it was reckoned unto him, it is probable it will be also to us, that he might not make it matter of syllogism. But he speaks in authentic words of the divine law, and makes the whole a declaration of the Scripture. For why was it written, he says, save to make us see that we also were justified in this way? For it is the same God Whom we have believed, and upon the same matters, if it be not in the case of the same persons. And after speaking of our faith, he also mentions God's unspeakable love towards man, which he ever presents on all sides, bringing the Cross before us.
Paul says that in Abraham a model was given to both Jews and Gentiles, so that by his example we might believe in God and Christ and the Holy Spirit, and that it might be reckoned to us as righteousness.
The Medieval Church2 voices
Second, he shows the effect which his faith had on others. In regard to this he does three things. First, he shows the likeness between the effect it had in him and in others, saying, now it is not written only for him, that it …
The Apostle said much in praise of Abraham, but someone might object: what is that to us? Therefore he states that it was written for us as well, that faith will be reckoned as righteousness for us too, if only we have it, believing in …
5 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — verbatim-scripture
Now it was not written for his sake alone,.... This was not left on the sacred records, Gen 15:6, that it was imputed to him; purely on his account, merely for his sake, as an encomium of his faith, and an honourable testimony to it, and for the encouragement of it; though this was doing him a very great honour, and was one design of it.
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
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 people. Imputed - Reckoned; accounted. He was regarded and treated as the friend of God.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
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.
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.
The words behind it
9 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Οὐκ | ouk | Not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| ἐγράφη | egraphe | it was written | G1125 → | 189 times |
| δὲ | de | now | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| δι᾽ | di᾽ | on account of | G1223 → | 664 times |
| αὐτὸν | auton | him | G846 → | 5565 times |
| μόνον | monon | alone | G3441 → | 110 times |
| ὅτι | hoti | that | G3754 → | 1292 times |
| ἐλογίσθη | elogisthe | it was credited | G3049 → | 40 times |
| αὐτῷ, | auto | to him, | G846 → | 5565 times |
ΟὐκNot
oukG3756 →1664 times
ἐγράφηit was written
egrapheG1125 →189 times
δὲnow
deG1161 →2765 times
δι᾽on account of
di᾽G1223 →664 times
αὐτὸνhim
autonG846 →5565 times
μόνονalone
mononG3441 →110 times
ὅτιthat
hotiG3754 →1292 times
ἐλογίσθηit was credited
elogistheG3049 →40 times
αὐτῷ,to him,
autoG846 →5565 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Romans 15:4For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
it leads to
- 1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 2 Timothy 3:16–17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
- Romans 4:23–24
Now the words “it was credited to him” were written not only for Abraham,
- 2 Peter 1:20–21
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation.
- Hebrews 10:35–36
So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.
- 1 Corinthians 10:11
Through
1 Corinthians 10:11Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.
it leads to
- Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
- Romans 13:11
And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
- Romans 15:4
Through
1 Corinthians 10:6These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did.
it leads to
- Jude 1:7
In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain the punishment of eternal…
- Jude 1:7
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies10
About Romans
Who and where
1 name in this verse with a page on the site.
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Epistle to the Romans; John Chrysostom, Homily on Romans IX; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Origen of Alexandria, COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Romans and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Romans.