Romans 4:4
New International Version
Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.

New Living Translation
When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned.

English Standard Version
Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.

Berean Standard Bible
Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation.

Berean Literal Bible
Now to the one working, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt.

King James Bible
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

New King James Version
Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

New American Standard Bible
Now to the one who works, the wages are not credited as a favor, but as what is due.

NASB 1995
Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.

NASB 1977
Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now to the one who works, his wage is not counted according to grace, but according to what is due.

Amplified Bible
Now to a laborer, his wages are not credited as a favor or a gift, but as an obligation [something owed to him].

Christian Standard Bible
Now to the one who works, pay is not credited as a gift, but as something owed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now to the one who works, pay is not considered as a gift, but as something owed.

American Standard Version
Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt.

Contemporary English Version
Money paid to workers isn't a gift. It is something they earn by working.

English Revised Version
Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When people work, their pay is not regarded as a gift but something they have earned.

Good News Translation
A person who works is paid wages, but they are not regarded as a gift; they are something that has been earned.

International Standard Version
Now to someone who works, wages are not considered a gift but an obligation.

Majority Standard Bible
Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation.

NET Bible
Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation.

New Heart English Bible
Now to the one who works, the pay is not counted as gift, but as an obligation.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now to him that worketh, is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Weymouth New Testament
But in the case of a man who works, pay is not reckoned a favour but a debt;

World English Bible
Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as something owed.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and to him who is working, the reward is not reckoned of grace, but of debt;

Berean Literal Bible
Now to the one working, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt.

Young's Literal Translation
and to him who is working, the reward is not reckoned of grace, but of debt;

Smith's Literal Translation
And to him working, the reward is not reckoned according to favor, but according to debt.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But for he who works, wages are not accounted according to grace, but according to debt.

New American Bible
A worker’s wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due.

New Revised Standard Version
Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But to him who works, wages are not considered as a favor but as that which is due to him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But the wages of one who labors are not accounted to him as a favor, but as that which is owed to him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Now to him that works, the reward is not counted as a favor, but as a debt:

Godbey New Testament
But to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt;

Haweis New Testament
Now to him that worketh, the reward is not brought to account as a favour, but as a debt.

Mace New Testament
the reward is not counted as a favour to him that has done good actions, but as a debt:

Weymouth New Testament
But in the case of a man who works, pay is not reckoned a favour but a debt;

Worrell New Testament
Now to him that works the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt;

Worsley New Testament
Now to him that worketh the reward is not reckoned as a favor, but as a debt:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abraham Justified by Faith
3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation. 5However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.…

Cross References
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast.

Galatians 2:16
know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Titus 3:5
He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 3:9
and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.

Romans 11:6
And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.

2 Timothy 1:9
He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.

Galatians 3:10-12
All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” / Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” / The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”

James 2:18-26
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. / You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. / O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless? ...

Luke 17:10
So you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

1 Corinthians 1:29-31
so that no one may boast in His presence. / It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. / Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Genesis 15:6
Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.

Isaiah 64:6
Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

Psalm 32:1-2
Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. / Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Habakkuk 2:4
Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright—but the righteous will live by faith—


Treasury of Scripture

Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Romans 9:32
Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Romans 11:6,35
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work…

Matthew 20:1-16
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard…

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Romans 4
1. Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness;
10. before he was circumcised.
13. By faith only he and his seed received the promise.
16. Abraham is the father of all who believe.
24. Our faith also shall be credited to us as righteousness.














Now
The word "Now" serves as a transitional term, connecting the previous arguments made by Paul to the point he is about to make. It indicates a logical progression in his discourse. In the context of Romans, Paul is building on his discussion of faith and works, emphasizing the distinction between earning and receiving.

the wages
"Wages" in Greek is "ὀψώνιον" (opsōnion), which refers to compensation or payment for work done. In the cultural and historical context of the Roman Empire, wages were a common part of daily life, especially for soldiers and laborers. Paul uses this term to illustrate the concept of earning something through effort, contrasting it with the idea of grace.

of the worker
The "worker" (Greek: "ἐργαζομένου," ergazomenou) refers to someone who performs labor or tasks. In the biblical context, this term can be understood as anyone who attempts to earn righteousness through their own efforts or works. Paul is addressing the mindset that righteousness can be achieved through human endeavor, a common belief among both Jews and Gentiles of his time.

are not credited
"Credited" (Greek: "λογίζεται," logizetai) is an accounting term meaning to reckon or consider. In the context of Romans, it refers to how God accounts righteousness to individuals. Paul is emphasizing that righteousness is not something that can be accounted to someone as a result of their works, but rather through faith.

as a gift
The term "gift" (Greek: "χάρις," charis) is central to Paul's theology. It signifies something given freely, without expectation of repayment. In the context of salvation, it underscores the concept of grace—God's unmerited favor. Paul contrasts this with the idea of earning, highlighting that salvation is a divine gift, not a human achievement.

but as an obligation
"Obligation" (Greek: "ὀφείλημα," opheilēma) refers to a debt or something owed. In the cultural context of Paul's audience, obligations were legal and binding. By using this term, Paul illustrates that if righteousness were based on works, it would be something God owes us, rather than a gift of grace. This reinforces the idea that salvation is not transactional but relational, rooted in faith and grace.

(4) This, then (the righteousness attributed to Abraham), was an act of grace on the part of God, and not of merit on the part of man. It therefore carries with it no ground of boasting.

The proposition is put in a general form. Those who base their claim on works have a right to their reward. It is not conceded to them by any sort of imputation, but is their desert. On the other hand (Romans 4:5), those who rely only upon faith, even though ungodly themselves, have righteousness imputed to them. This latter was Abraham's case, and not the former. (The specific application to Abraham is not expressed, but implied.)

The reward.--Literally, his wages. The relation between what he receives and what he does is that of wages for work done. He can claim it, if need be, in a court of law. There is in it no element of grace, or favour, or concession.

Verses 4, 5. - Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt (literally, according to grace, but according to the debt, i.e. according to what is due). But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness. The expression, "him that worketh" (τῷ ἐργαζομένῳ), evidently means him that works with a view to a reward which he can claim; or, as Luther explains it, "one who deals in works;" or, as we might say with the same signification, "the worker." (For a like use of the present participle, cf. Galatians 5:3, τῷ περιτεμνομένῳ.) So also in ver. 5, τῷ μὴ ἐργαζομένῳ means one who does not so work. Thus there is here no denial of the necessity of good works. It is the principle only of justification that is in view. "Neque enim fideles vult esse ignavos; sed tantum mercenarias esse vetat, qui a Deo quicquam reposcant quasi jure debitum" (Calvin). One view of the meaning of τῷ ἐργαζομένῳ is that it is equivalent to τῷ ἐργάτῃ, being meant as an illustration, thus: The workman's wage is due to him, and not granted as a favour (so Afford). But this notion does not suit the τῷ μὴ ἐργαζομένῳ in the following verse. The strong word ἀσεβῆ ("ungodly") is not to be understood as designating Abraham himself, the proposition being a general one. Nor does it imply that continued ἀσέβεια is consistent with justification; only that even the ἀσεβεῖς are justified through faith on their repentance and amendment (cf. Romans 5:6, ὑπὲρ ἀσεβῶν ἀπέθανε).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative 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.

wages
μισθὸς (misthos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3408: (a) pay, wages, salary, (b) reward, recompense, punishment. Apparently a primary word; pay for service, good or bad.

of
Τῷ (Tō)
Article - Dative 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.

[the] worker
ἐργαζομένῳ (ergazomenō)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2038: To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor.

are not credited
λογίζεται (logizetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3049: To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose.

as
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

a gift,
χάριν (charin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5485: From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

as
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

an obligation.
ὀφείλημα (opheilēma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3783: A debt, offense, sin. From opheilo; something owed, i.e. a due; morally, a fault.


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NT Letters: Romans 4:4 Now to him who works the reward (Rom. Ro)
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