And David speaks likewiseThis phrase refers to King David, a central figure in the Old Testament, known for his deep relationship with God and his role as a prophet. David's writings, particularly in the Psalms, often reflect profound theological insights. Here, Paul is drawing a parallel between David's understanding of righteousness and the teaching of justification by faith. David's life, marked by both great faith and significant moral failures, exemplifies the need for divine grace and forgiveness.
of the blessedness of the man
The term "blessedness" indicates a state of spiritual well-being and favor with God. In the Hebrew context, being "blessed" often implies a deep sense of joy and peace that comes from a right relationship with God. This concept is echoed in the Beatitudes of Jesus (Matthew 5:3-12), where true happiness is linked to spiritual virtues rather than material wealth or human achievement.
to whom God credits righteousness
This phrase highlights the doctrine of imputed righteousness, where God accounts or reckons righteousness to a person. This is a key tenet of Christian theology, emphasizing that righteousness is not earned but granted by God. The idea of crediting righteousness is rooted in the covenantal promises made to Abraham (Genesis 15:6), where faith is counted as righteousness. This concept is foundational to understanding salvation in the New Testament.
apart from works
This phrase underscores the principle that righteousness is granted independently of human effort or adherence to the Law. It aligns with the broader Pauline teaching that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). This was a radical departure from the prevailing Jewish belief that righteousness was achieved through strict observance of the Law. The emphasis on faith apart from works is also seen in the contrast between the Old Covenant, based on the Law, and the New Covenant, based on grace through faith in Christ.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
DavidKing of Israel, a man after God's own heart, who wrote many of the Psalms. He is referenced here as an example of someone who understood the concept of righteousness apart from works.
2.
PaulThe apostle who authored the Book of Romans. He uses David's words to illustrate the principle of justification by faith.
3.
AbrahamThough not directly mentioned in this verse, he is a central figure in
Romans 4, representing the prototype of faith-based righteousness.
4.
RomeThe city to which the letter of Romans was addressed, a center of early Christian thought and a diverse congregation of Jewish and Gentile believers.
5.
The PsalmsSpecifically,
Psalm 32, which Paul references to support his argument about righteousness and forgiveness.
Teaching Points
Righteousness by FaithTrue righteousness is credited by God through faith, not by human effort or works.
The Example of DavidDavid's understanding of forgiveness and righteousness highlights the blessedness of being justified by faith.
The Universality of the GospelJust as David and Abraham were justified by faith, so too are all believers, regardless of their background.
The Assurance of ForgivenessBelievers can find peace and assurance in the fact that their righteousness is a gift from God, not dependent on their own merit.
Living in GratitudeUnderstanding that righteousness is a gift should lead to a life of gratitude and obedience, not as a means to earn salvation, but as a response to God's grace.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Romans 4:6?
2.How does Romans 4:6 define the concept of righteousness apart from works?
3.Why is David's blessing significant in understanding justification by faith in Romans 4:6?
4.How can we apply the principle of imputed righteousness in our daily lives?
5.What Old Testament connections support Paul's teaching in Romans 4:6?
6.How does Romans 4:6 encourage us to trust in God's grace over works?
7.How does Romans 4:6 define righteousness apart from works?
8.What is the historical context of Romans 4:6?
9.How does Romans 4:6 relate to the concept of grace?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Romans 4?
11.In Romans 4:6–8, does the idea of sin not being counted against believers conflict with other biblical passages that emphasize judgment and accountability?
12.How do we know Psalm 32 is genuinely attributed to David, and is there any archaeological or historical proof for this claim?
13.What are Weapons of Righteousness?
14.How does David’s claim of righteousness in Psalm 18:20–24 align with accounts of his moral failures elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., 2 Samuel 11)?What Does Romans 4:6 Mean
And David speaks- Paul reaches back into Israel’s hymnbook, reminding us that King David himself “speaks” into this New-Covenant discussion.
- Scripture consistently testifies with one voice; the apostles do not invent a new doctrine but unfold what was already embedded in the Old Testament (Acts 10:43).
- By anchoring his point in David’s words, Paul shows that salvation by faith is not a novelty but the very heart of God’s revelation from Genesis onward (Genesis 15:6).
likewise of the blessedness- “Blessedness” is more than a fleeting feeling; it is the settled joy of being fully accepted by God.
- David describes this blessing inPsalm 32:1-2 (quoted right afterRomans 4:6): “Blessed are they whose lawless acts are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him”.
- This same blessedness is echoed inRomans 5:1-2, where peace with God and access into grace flow from justification.
of the man- The promise is personal and individual—“the man,” not merely a tribe or nation.
- Salvation’s reach spans Jew and Gentile alike (Romans 3:29-30); anyone can step into this blessed standing.
- David’s own life—marred by adultery and murder—shows that even the gravest sinner can become “the man” who is declared righteous.
to whom God credits righteousness- “Credits” is banking language: God places righteousness into our account.
- This is not a legal fiction; it is God’s truthful verdict based on Christ’s accomplished work (2 Corinthians 5:21).
- Just as Abraham believed and “it was credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3), every believer shares the same credit.
- The credit is immediate and complete, producing:
• Peace with God (Romans 5:1)
• Freedom from condemnation (Romans 8:1)
• Bold access to God’s throne (Hebrews 4:16)
apart from works- Here Paul drives the nail: works play no role in earning the credit.
-Titus 3:5 reinforces the point: “He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy”.
-Ephesians 2:8-9 settles the matter: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith... not by works, so that no one can boast”.
- Works follow as the fruit of a redeemed life (Ephesians 2:10), but they never form the root of our righteousness.
summaryRomans 4:6 teaches that, just as David rejoiced inPsalm 32, every believer today can know the profound blessedness of having righteousness credited by God without any reliance on personal merit. It is a divine bookkeeping miracle, accomplished through Christ, received by faith, and celebrated forever by those who stand forgiven, accepted, and secure in His grace.
(6-8) A further instance of the nature of the justification which proceeds from faith is supplied by David. From his evidence it will appear that such justification implies, not the absence of sin, but its forgiveness; not its real obliteration, but the forbearance of God to impute it. It is an
amnesty, not an
acquittal.(6)Even as.--In strict accordance with this description of the justified state we have another, that of David.
Describeth the blessedness.--Rather,speaks the felicitation, felicitates,or pronounces blessed.
Verses 6-8. -
Even as David also describeth the blessedness (
λέγει τὸν μακαρισμὸν. The noun means properly a
declaring blessed - beatitatis praedicatio - "Eloquitur illud beati praeconiam" (Bengel). We might render, "David tells of the blessing on the man," etc.)
of the man unto whom God reckoneth (
λογίζεται, as before.
Imputeth in the Authorized Version suggests the idea of a different word being used)
righteousness apart from works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not reckon (
λογίσηται,
as before, and so throughout the whole passage)
sin (
Psalm 32:1, 2). The introduction of this testimony of David to the same principle of justification serves not only to explain it further, but also to show that under the Law too it continued to be recognized; and by David himself, the typical king and psalmist under the legal dispensation. But the argument from Abraham is not discontinued, being resumed in the next verse, and continued to the end of the chapter. If it be said that these verses from
Psalm 32. do not in themselves declare a general principle applicable to all, but only the blessedness to
sinners of having their sins forgiven, it may be replied, firstly, that the way in which the verses are introduced does not require more to be implied. All that
need be meant is that the ground of justification exemplified in Abraham's case is the same as is spoken of by David as still available for man, and crowned with blessing. But, secondly, it is to be observed that these verses represent and suggest the general tenor of the Book of Psalms, in which human righteousness is never asserted as constituting a claim to reward. "My trust is in thy mercy," is, on the contrary, the ever-recurring theme. St. Paul's quotations from the Old Testament are frequently given as suggestive of the general scriptural teaching on the subject in hand, rather than as exhaustive proofs in themselves.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.DavidΔαυὶδ(Dauid)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1138:David, King of Israel. Of Hebrew origin; Dabid, the Israelite king.speaksλέγει(legei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.likewiseκαθάπερ(kathaper)Adverb
Strong's 2509:Even as, just as. From katha and per; exactly as.of theτὸν(ton)Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.blessednessμακαρισμὸν(makarismon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3108:Regarding as happy, blessed, or enviable. From makarizo; beatification, i.e. Attribution of good fortune.of theτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.manἀνθρώπου(anthrōpou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 444:A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.to whomᾧ(hō)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.GodΘεὸς(Theos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.creditsλογίζεται(logizetai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3049:To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose.righteousnessδικαιοσύνην(dikaiosynēn)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1343:From dikaios; equity; specially justification.apart fromχωρὶς(chōris)Preposition
Strong's 5565:Apart from, separately from; without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from.works:ἔργων(ergōn)Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2041:From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.
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NT Letters: Romans 4:6 Even as David also pronounces blessing (Rom. Ro) 
