Romans 4:6-8 NKJV – just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed [are those] whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; 8 Blessed [is the] man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.”
V6 Just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works.
Having explained that faith is not a gift nor a work, Paul starts to prove that the Old Testament also teaches this. Believing Jews reading this can examine the Scriptures and understand that this doctrine is not new.
There is God’s blessing on those who believe for forgiveness and salvation and do not depend on their ability to keep Mosaic Law.
Imputation means that I do not have any righteousness of my own, neither did Abraham. Jesus is righteous in all His desires, thoughts, words, and deeds. Since Jesus died on the cross paying the penalty for our sin and rising from the dead, the way of salvation was opened. God’s condition for salvation is believing and trusting in Jesus Christ. When a person believes and trusts in Jesus alone for salvation, we are viewed as righteous. This is Jesus’s righteousness that God considers ours. We did nothing but believe, and God credited Jesus’s righteousness to us.
Dr. Charles Ryrie (Theology) on Imputation:
“II. THREE BASIC IMPUTATIONS
Theologians have generally recognized three basic imputations.
A. The Imputation of Adam’s Sin to the Race (Rom 5:12-21)
This is the one that concerns us in this section on sin, and we shall return to a full discussion of it.
B. The Imputation of Man’s Sin to Christ (2Co 5:19; 1Pe 2:24)
C. The Imputation of Christ’s Righteousness to Believers (2Co 5:21)
V7 Blessed [are those] whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered.
The quote in verses 7-8 is from Psalm 32:1-2. This proves that David did indeed write this Psalm and that forgiveness of sin is not from works.
The Jews stumbled in their faith at the thought that works do not bring salvation (Romans 10:3). They also did not have faith in (Romans 9:30-33).
There is great joy and blessings knowing that we have the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ because we place our faith and trust in Him alone.
The Hebrew words for “forgive” seem to carry the idea of covering (H3722 and Exodus 32:30), hiding sin from sight and not seeking revenge. Also see H5375—carry away and H5545—not seeking revenge or punishment. Compare the present age in Hebrews 9:22. The Greek words seem to carry the idea of G859—paying the penalty in full, remission, releasing from the penalty, etc., and G5483—doing something pleasant or doing a favor. The penalty for our sins was completely paid for by Jesus, Son of Man and Son of God. See Romans 5:9 and 1 Peter 2:24.
V8 Blessed [is the] man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.
Dr. Charles Ryrie discusses this and gives an illustration.
“The remedy for imputed sin is the imputed righteousness of Christ. The moment anyone believes, Christ’s righteousness is reckoned or imputed to that individual. As all are in Adam, so all believers are in Christ, and being in Him means that His righteousness is ours.
“A vivid illustration of this came to me in my student days. A criminal in the state penitentiary was soon to be executed for murder. His story received an uncommon amount of publicity because he had willed that the cornea of one of his eyes should be used in what was then the very new procedure of corneal transplant. Further, the recipient was designated prior to the criminal’s execution, and indeed the two men met before the execution was carried out. This made great human interest copy for the media.
“In due time, the murderer was put to death. His cornea was taken from his body, and by the miracle of medicine, it was transplanted into the eye of a blind man who then could see. Now suppose some policeman should have tried to arrest that man who received the cornea and have him executed because he had the cornea of a murderer. Any judge would say, “But that cornea that formerly was in the body of a murderer is now in the body of a man who is righteous before the law. Therefore, the cornea is as righteous as the man is.” And that illustrates my point. I was in Adam and justly condemned to die because I sinned when he sinned. But by a miracle greater than any surgical procedure, I was placed in Jesus Christ. And now I am righteous because He is righteous and can stand before a holy God uncondemned. From being in Adam to being in Christ—that’s my story by the miracle of His grace.”
We learn:
- The blessings from faith.
- The blessing of having the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ because of our faith.
Questions:
- Have you placed your faith in Jesus for salvation?
- Are you rejoicing in the work and ministry of Jesus Christ?