“For what does scripture say about him? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness'” (Romans 4:3 Phillips).
Before we move on from our study of this passage, there is a key element within this verse that merits
our attention. That element comprises a single word: accounted. Much like the modern-day derivative term “accountant,” the ancient version of this word conveys the idea of something that is calculated or computed to one’s account. (1) Contemporary translations of this verse use a variety of words, including credited (NET). counted (ESV). and reckoned (RSV), to express this idea.
While it may seem unwarranted to dwell on a single word from this passage, this particular word shows up repeatedly (and in several variations) over the course of Romans chapter four. Therefore, this reference (and the spiritual truth it represents) is well worth our consideration. One commentator places this idea in a contemporary framework…
“What do we mean when we say that faith was counted unto Abraham for righteousness? The word translated ‘counted’ (Gr logizomai) is a commercial term which is used with regard to credits or debits. It means to set to one’s credit or lay to one’s charge. If you authorize your lawyer to write checks on your bank account, and he does so, although the check is written by him and money received by him, nevertheless the amount of the check is charged to you.” (2)
Another New Testament scholar offers several ways to understand this concept…
“Thus Abraham believed God, and his act of faith was placed to his account in value as righteousness. He believed God and his act of faith was credited to him for righteousness. He believed God and his act of faith was placed on deposit for him and evaluated as righteousness. He believed God and his act of faith was computed as to its value, and there was placed to his account, righteousness. He believed God, and his act of faith was credited to his account for righteousness. Finally, he believed God, and his act of faith was credited to him, resulting in righteousness.” (3)
So, much like a monetary transfer that is deposited into a financial trust fund, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith” (NLT). Abraham did not undertake any effort to facilitate that transfer; he simply took God at His word and believed He would do what He said He would do. We will return to this important idea again in Romans 4:8 when we consider another variation of this term: imputation.
(1) G3049 – logizomai – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3049/kjv/tr/0-1/
(2) Edward E. Hindson and Woodrow Michael Kroll, eds., KJV Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1994), 2223–2224.
(3) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament [Galatians 3:6] Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.