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Romans 4

Rom. 4:3 KJV (With Strong’s)

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3
For
gar (Greek #1063)
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
KJV usage: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Pronounce: gar
Origin: a primary particle
what
tis (Greek #5101)
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
KJV usage: every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
Pronounce: tis
Origin: probably emphatic of 5100
saith
lego (Greek #3004)
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
KJV usage: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Pronounce: leg'-o
Origin: a primary verb
the scripture
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
graphe (Greek #1124)
a document, i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it)
KJV usage: scripture.
Pronounce: graf-ay'
o? Abraham
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
Abraam (Greek #11)
Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch
KJV usage: Abraham. (In Acts 7:16 the text should probably read Jacob.)
Pronounce: ab-rah-am'
Origin: of Hebrew origin (085)
believed
pisteuo (Greek #4100)
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ)
KJV usage: believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
Pronounce: pist-yoo'-o
Origin: from 4102
God
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
it was counted
logizomai (Greek #3049)
to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).
Pronounce: log-id'-zom-ahee
Origin: middle voice from 3056
unto him
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
for
eis (Greek #1519)
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
KJV usage: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
Pronounce: ice
Origin: a primary preposition
righteousness
dikaiosune (Greek #1343)
equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification
KJV usage: righteousness.
Pronounce: dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay
Origin: from 1342
.
o
Gen. 15:6• 6And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. (Gen. 15:6)

More on:

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Abraham,
God,
Righteousness,
Scripture

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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what.
Rom. 9:17• 17For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. (Rom. 9:17)
;
Rom. 10:11• 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Rom. 10:11)
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Rom. 11:2• 2God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, (Rom. 11:2)
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Isa. 8:20• 20To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (Isa. 8:20)
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Mark 12:10• 10And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: (Mark 12:10)
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James 4:5• 5Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? (James 4:5)
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2 Peter 1:20‑21• 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:20‑21)
Abraham.
Gen. 15:6• 6And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. (Gen. 15:6)
;
Gal. 3:6‑8• 6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
 7Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
 8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. (Gal. 3:6‑8)
;
James 2:23• 23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (James 2:23)
counted.
Rom. 4:5,9,11,22‑25• 5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
 9Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
 11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
 22And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
 23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
 24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
 25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Rom. 4:5,9,11,22‑25)
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Psa. 106:31• 31And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore. (Psa. 106:31)
• Abraham. If we consider him then thus according to the flesh (that is, in connection with the privileges that descended from him as inheritance for his children) and take our place under him in the line of succession to enjoy those privileges, on what principle does this set us? On the same principle of faith. (“Romans 4” by J.N. Darby)
• Paul turns us to Genesis 15 and shows that God gave Abraham the promise of His "word" (vss. 4-5) and Abraham "believed" it (vs. 6a), and "it was reckoned to him for righteousness" (vs. 6b). (“The Righteousness of Faith: Romans 4” by B. Anstey)
• It says that he "believed God." This refers to Abraham's believing what God had said to him-he believed God's word. (“The Righteousness of Faith: Romans 4” by B. Anstey)

J. N. Darby Translation

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for what does the scripture sayb? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him asc righteousness.

JND Translation Notes

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b
See Gen. 15.6.
c
I am not quite satisfied with "as"; but it is the nearest approach to the sense in English. "For," I object to; because then faith is made of positive worth, having the value of righteousness; whereas the sense is that he was holden for righteous in virtue of faith. "For" does not go far enough as righteousness; too far as to a positive value of faith. Faith might be reckoned for righteousness, and yet the righteousness come short of what was required; whereas if it be reckoned as righteousness, then the full value of righteousness, as such, is seen. "the man was held to have righteousness." It is a Hebrew form. See Ps. 106.31. Gen. 15.6, where there is no preposition, makes the force of the expression plain.

W. Kelly Translation

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For what doth the scripture say? “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness.”