This is whyThis phrase refers back to the preceding verses in
Romans 4, where Paul discusses Abraham's faith. The context is crucial, as Paul is explaining how Abraham was justified by faith before the law was given and before he was circumcised. This sets a precedent for understanding justification by faith apart from works or adherence to the law. The "why" points to the reason for Abraham's righteousness being credited to him, emphasizing faith as the key component.
“it was credited to him
The concept of something being "credited" or "counted" is an accounting term, implying that righteousness was not inherent in Abraham but was accounted to him by God. This reflects the doctrine of imputed righteousness, where believers are considered righteous because of their faith, not because of their own merit. This idea is foundational in Christian theology, highlighting the grace of God in salvation.
as righteousness.”
Righteousness here refers to being in right standing with God. In the Jewish context, righteousness was often associated with adherence to the law. However, Paul uses Abraham's example to show that righteousness comes through faith. This connects toGenesis 15:6, where it is first stated that Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. This sets a typological precedent for the New Testament believer, where faith in Jesus Christ results in righteousness being credited to them. This also ties into the broader biblical narrative of salvation history, where faith is consistently shown as the means by which individuals are justified before God.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
AbrahamThe central figure in
Romans 4, Abraham is presented as the exemplar of faith. His belief in God's promises, despite his old age and Sarah's barrenness, is credited to him as righteousness.
2.
Paul the ApostleThe author of the Book of Romans, Paul uses Abraham's account to illustrate the principle of justification by faith, not by works.
3.
GodThe one who credits righteousness to Abraham because of his faith, demonstrating His grace and the principle of faith over works.
4.
Genesis 15:6The Old Testament event where God makes a covenant with Abraham, promising him numerous descendants, and Abraham's faith is credited as righteousness.
5.
RighteousnessA key theological concept in
Romans 4, referring to being in right standing with God, which is granted through faith.
Teaching Points
Faith as the Foundation of RighteousnessAbraham's account teaches that righteousness is not earned by works but is a gift from God, credited through faith. This challenges believers to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem impossible.
The Universality of FaithJust as Abraham's faith was credited as righteousness before the law was given, so too is faith the means by which all people, Jew and Gentile, can be justified before God.
The Assurance of God's PromisesAbraham's unwavering belief in God's promises, despite his circumstances, serves as a model for believers to hold fast to God's word and trust in His faithfulness.
Living Out FaithWhile faith is credited as righteousness, true faith is evidenced by actions. Believers are called to live out their faith through obedience and trust in God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Romans 4:22?
2.How does Romans 4:22 illustrate the importance of faith in God's promises?
3.What does "credited to him as righteousness" teach about justification by faith?
4.How can Abraham's example in Romans 4:22 strengthen our personal faith journey?
5.How does Romans 4:22 connect with Genesis 15:6 regarding faith and righteousness?
6.In what ways can we apply Abraham's faith to our daily Christian walk?
7.How does Romans 4:22 define the concept of faith in Christian theology?
8.What historical context influenced the writing of Romans 4:22?
9.How does Romans 4:22 relate to the doctrine of justification by faith?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Romans 4?
11.What will happen to the righteous and the wicked?
12.How can faith in Christ lead to righteousness and salvation?
13.How does grace through faith lead to salvation?
14.How does faith inspire confidence in God's promises?What Does Romans 4:22 Mean
This is why- Paul has just described Abraham “being fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised” (Romans 4:21).
- The phrase points back to that unwavering faith: it was Abraham’s confident trust, not any personal merit, that triggered God’s action.
- Similar faith-based reasoning appears inHebrews 11:11, where Sarah receives power “since she considered Him faithful who had promised,” and inGalatians 3:8, where Scripture “foresees” God justifying Gentiles by faith.
- The verse therefore ties the crediting of righteousness directly to Abraham’s belief, underscoring that faith is the decisive cause.
It was credited- “Credited” speaks of an accounting transfer: righteousness placed in Abraham’s ledger while his sin-debt is not counted against him (Psalm 32:2;2 Corinthians 5:19).
-Romans 4:3 repeatsGenesis 15:6 almost verbatim, stressing that this crediting is scriptural precedent, not a Pauline innovation.
- The passive voice (“was credited”) highlights God as the One doing the counting; Abraham simply receives.
- No wages are earned (Romans 4:4–5); grace moves the divine Accountant to write righteousness into an otherwise empty column.
To him- The pronoun centers on Abraham, a real historical figure (Genesis 15:6), making clear that justification by faith is not theoretical.
- Paul extends the principle “to him” toward every believer: “The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written… for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead” (Romans 4:23-24).
-Galatians 3:6-9 affirms that those who share Abraham’s faith are sons of Abraham, inheriting the same credited righteousness.
- The personal application invites each reader to see God’s willingness to deal individually, not just generically, with sinners.
As righteousness- Righteousness is more than forgiven sin; it is the positive standing God requires (Romans 3:22).
- Abraham did not possess such righteousness inherently; it had to be placed “as” or “for” righteousness in God’s sight.
-Philippians 3:9 echoes this truth: believers are “found in Him, not having my own righteousness… but that which is through faith in Christ.”
- Thus the verse teaches imputed righteousness: God legally declares believers righteous because faith unites them to His promise-keeping character and, ultimately, to Christ Himself (Romans 5:19).
SummaryRomans 4:22 wraps Paul’s argument in a single statement: because Abraham believed God’s promise without wavering, God responded by crediting righteousness to his account. The verse affirms that:
• Faith is the sole reason (“This is why”) for justification,
• God performs the gracious accounting (“it was credited”),
• The blessing is personal and transferable (“to him”),
• What is granted meets God’s perfect standard (“as righteousness”).
Consequently, every believer who rests in God’s promises—now centered in the risen Lord Jesus—receives the same righteous standing before God, apart from works.
Verses 22-25. -
Wherefore also it was reckoned to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned to him; but for our sake also, to whom it shall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord front the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised for our justification. It is to be observed that the word here and elsewhere translated "
justification"isδίκαιωσις, corresponding with
δικαιοσύνη. The correspondence is lost in English. The Vulgate preserves it by
justitia and
justificatio; and the Douay Version has, here as elsewhere, "justice" for
δικαιοσύνη. But "
righteousness" expresses the meaning better.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
That is whyδιὸ(dio)Conjunction
Strong's 1352:Wherefore, on which account, therefore. From dia and hos; through which thing, i.e. Consequently.“it was creditedἘλογίσθη(Elogisthē)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3049:To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose.to himαὐτῷ(autō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.asεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.righteousness.”δικαιοσύνην(dikaiosynēn)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1343:From dikaios; equity; specially justification.
Links
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NT Letters: Romans 4:22 Therefore it also was reckoned to him (Rom. Ro) 
