“However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness” (Romans 4:5 NIV).
Thus far in our journey through the book of Romans, we have never been far from the word “justification” and its derivative concepts. For example, Romans chapter one told us, “…The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). In Romans 2:13 we read, “…for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified.” Romans chapter three then followed by saying, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).
One source adds to our discussion of this important concept with the following insight into the legal origin of this term…
“The Greek word translated ‘justify’ or ‘justification’ means ‘to acquit,’ ‘to vindicate,’ or ‘to pronounce righteous.’ These are important judicial terms, and the theological meaning is borrowed from the courtroom. In justification God clears those who have been charged with sins or failures. The Bible makes it clear that God will clear no one of the charge of sin on the basis of his or her efforts to keep the Law. One can be justified — declared righteous — only on the basis of faith.” (1)
Thus, “In justification, God solves the legal or judicial problem that we have on account of our being lawbreakers who have violated His commandments, and He does so by means of a legal declaration of our status… Clearly, when a judge acquits an innocent person, he is not changing that person but merely making a declaration about that person’s status before the law.” (2)
Another commentary presents us with a personal application: “Notice that he believes on Him who justifies the ungodly. He doesn’t come with the plea that he has tried his best, that he has lived by the Golden Rule, that he has not been as bad as others. No, he comes as an ungodly, guilty sinner and throws himself on the mercy of God.” (3)
Here in Romans chapter four, Paul the Apostle has turned to Abraham’s example to find support for this premise. But over the next few verses, Paul will focus his attention on another prominent figure from the annals of Biblical history. That person is David, the celebrated monarch of Old Testament Israel. He will serve as a corroborating witness to the spiritual truths that Paul has worked to establish over the first four chapters of this letter.
(1) Richards, L. O., & Richards, L. (1987). Bible Teacher’s Commentary. David C Cook. “Study Guide 125: Romans 4-6.”
(2) Faith and Righteousness. (2017, June 13). Ligonier Ministries. https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/faith-and-righteousness-june-2017
(3) William Macdonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary Edited by Arthur Farstad. Thomas Nelson Publishers [Romans 4:1-25]