Romanos 4:5

5 Mas al que no obra, sino cree en aquel que justifica al impío, la fe le es contada por justicia

Romanos 4:5 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 4:5

But to him that worketh not
Not that the believer does not work at all, but not from such principles, and with such views as the other; he does not work in order to obtain life and salvation; he does not seek for justification by his doings:

but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly:
or that ungodly one: particular reference is had to Abraham, who in his state of unregeneracy was an ungodly person; as all God's elect are in a state of nature, and are such when God justifies them, being without a righteousness of their own; wherefore he imputes the righteousness of another, even that of his own Son, unto them: and though he justifies the ungodly, he does not justify their ungodliness, but them from it; nor will he, nor does he leave them to live and die in it; now to him that worketh not, that is perfect righteousness; or has no opportunity of working at all; or what he does, he does not do, that he might be justified by it; but exercises faith on God as justifying persons, who, like himself, are sinners, ungodly and destitute of a righteousness:

his faith is counted for righteousness;
not the act, but the object of it; which was Abraham's case, and therefore was not justified by works. The Vulgate Latin version here adds, "according to the purpose of the grace of God".

Romanos 4:5 In-Context

3 Porque ¿qué dice la Escritura?: Y creyó Abraham a Dios, y le fue atribuido a justicia

4 Pero al que obra, no se le cuenta el salario como gracia, sino como deuda

5 Mas al que no obra, sino cree en aquel que justifica al impío, la fe le es contada por justicia

6 Como también David dice ser bienaventurado el hombre al cual Dios atribuye justicia sin las obras

7 diciendo: Bienaventurados aquellos cuyas iniquidades son perdonadas, y cuyos pecados son cubiertos