Sermons on Romans 4:4-5

Romans 4:4-5 Interpretation:

Sharing the Gospel: The Path to Salvation (Tony Evans) interprets Romans 4:4-5 by emphasizing the impossibility of earning salvation through human effort, using the analogy of a financial account to explain how God credits the righteousness of Jesus to the believer’s account. The sermon uniquely highlights the transactional language of “credit” in the passage, likening it to a bank deposit that the recipient did not earn, and stresses that God’s gift of righteousness is not a wage for work but a gracious, unearned gift. This analogy is used to make the concept of imputed righteousness accessible, especially for those unfamiliar with theological jargon.

Jesus' Satisfaction: Justification and Our Transformative Faith (Open the Bible) offers a detailed interpretation of Romans 4:4-5 by closely linking it to Isaiah 53:11, focusing on the phrase “counted as righteous.” The sermon draws out the radical nature of God “justifying the ungodly,” noting the counterintuitive and shocking nature of this claim. It explores the Greek term for “justify” (dikaio?), explaining that it means to declare or count someone righteous, not to make them righteous by their own works. The preacher uses the analogy of a legal declaration, where the judge pronounces someone innocent not because of their own record but because of another’s merit. This is further illustrated by contrasting the hopelessness of self-justification with the hope found in Christ’s substitutionary work, and by emphasizing that even faith itself is imperfect, yet God justifies those who believe, not those who achieve perfect faith or works. The sermon also uses the metaphor of “leaning” on Christ’s righteousness rather than one’s own, and the image of Jesus being satisfied by the multitude of justified sinners as a unique interpretive angle.

Embracing Divine Favor: A Journey of Grace (Real Life SC) interprets Romans 4:4-5 by contrasting “labor” and “favor,” using the metaphor of a “basket full of filthy rags” to represent human attempts to earn God’s blessings. The sermon uniquely frames the passage as a call to abandon self-reliance and embrace the “divine favor” (grace) that God freely gives, arguing that trying to earn what God has already granted is a form of unbelief. The preacher also introduces the analogy of a child growing into a family heirloom wedding dress to illustrate how believers “grow into” the favor and righteousness already given to them in Christ, emphasizing development and teachability rather than achievement. The sermon further equates “grace” with “divine favor,” suggesting that every biblical mention of grace could be read as favor, and that favor is the actionable manifestation of grace in the believer’s life.

Faith as Receiving: Abraham's Example of Righteousness (Desiring God) offers a distinctive interpretation of Romans 4:4-5 by contrasting two possible readings of “faith counted as righteousness.” The sermon rejects the idea that faith is credited as righteousness because it is itself a righteous act (i.e., a “dollar for dollar” exchange), and instead argues that faith is the act of receiving a gift, not performing a work. The preacher emphasizes that Paul’s use of the Greek term for “counted” (logizomai) in Romans 4:4-5 is not about God rewarding faith as if it were a meritorious deed, but about God crediting righteousness to the one who simply receives, not earns. The analogy of “dollar for dollar” is used to clarify that faith is not a transactional work but a posture of open-handed reception, which is a unique and nuanced distinction in the interpretation of this passage.

Finding Rest in Christ Amidst Our Work (Desiring God) interprets Romans 4:4-5 as a declaration that justification is not the result of human effort or work, but is a gift received by faith alone. The sermon draws a sharp line between working for wages (which are due) and receiving a gift (which is unearned), using the passage to assure believers that their standing before God is not based on their performance but on faith in Christ’s finished work. The preacher applies this to the experience of rest in the Christian life, arguing that the “restfulness of soul” comes from knowing that one’s justification is settled by faith, not by anxious striving or labor. This interpretation is illustrated with the metaphor of “rest” in the midst of work, making the passage immediately relevant to the daily lives of listeners.

Romans 4:4-5 Theological Themes:

Jesus' Satisfaction: Justification and Our Transformative Faith (Open the Bible) introduces the distinct theological theme that God’s justification is not for the godly but for the ungodly, and that this is the very thing that brings satisfaction to Christ after his suffering. The sermon explores the paradox that God’s pleasure and Christ’s satisfaction are found not in the perfection of believers but in their being declared righteous through faith, despite their ongoing imperfection. It also develops the idea that Christ’s satisfaction is rooted in the future perfection of believers, which he already sees and delights in, thus encouraging believers to find joy in what others will become in Christ, not just in their present state.

Embracing Divine Favor: A Journey of Grace (Real Life SC) presents the theme that grace is not merely a passive excuse for sin but an active empowerment to live righteously. The sermon adds the facet that favor is both a present possession and a potential for growth, and that increasing in favor requires valuing, seeking, and being teachable about God’s grace. It also introduces the idea that favor is most manifest in “unfavorable situations,” and that believers must “factor in favor” in their daily mindset, expecting God’s kindness even when circumstances are adverse.

Sharing the Gospel: The Path to Salvation (Tony Evans) adds the angle that the “crediting” of righteousness is a legal and financial transaction, and that the believer’s “perfect credit score” before God is entirely due to Christ’s merit, not their own. The sermon also stresses the necessity of transferring trust from self-effort to Christ alone, making the act of faith a decisive shift in reliance.

Faith as Receiving: Abraham's Example of Righteousness (Desiring God) introduces the theological theme that faith is fundamentally receptive rather than active or meritorious. The sermon develops the idea that faith is the “unique act of the soul” by which a person receives the gift of righteousness, rather than offering something to God. This is a nuanced expansion of the doctrine of justification by faith, emphasizing the passivity of faith in contrast to the activity of works, and highlighting the radical grace of God in justifying the ungodly.

Finding Rest in Christ Amidst Our Work (Desiring God) adds a fresh application by connecting the doctrine of justification by faith (as taught in Romans 4:4-5) to the believer’s experience of rest and peace in daily life. The sermon explores how the assurance of being justified by faith alone liberates Christians from the “restless anxiety” of trying to earn God’s favor through their work, and instead enables them to work from a place of deep spiritual rest. This theme is further developed through the analogy of being energized by love and the indwelling presence of God, which transforms work from burdensome striving into joyful service.

Romans 4:4-5 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Jesus' Satisfaction: Justification and Our Transformative Faith (Open the Bible) provides historical context by explaining the legal and sacrificial background of justification language in both Isaiah 53 and Romans 4. The sermon references the cultural understanding of bearing iniquity and the role of the high priest and sacrificial system in ancient Israel, where sins were symbolically transferred to a substitute. It also discusses the cultural shock value of Paul’s statement that God “justifies the ungodly,” noting that in both Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, justification was expected only for the righteous, making Paul’s teaching radically countercultural.

Faith as Receiving: Abraham's Example of Righteousness (Desiring God) provides a brief but significant historical insight by referencing the first-century and contemporary use of the term “counted” (logizomai), explaining that in both contexts it could mean a direct equivalence (as in “dollar for dollar”), but that Paul intentionally subverts this expectation by making faith the means of receiving, not earning, righteousness. This linguistic and cultural note helps clarify the radical nature of Paul’s teaching in Romans 4:4-5, especially against the backdrop of a works-based religious culture.

Romans 4:4-5 Cross-References in the Bible:

Sharing the Gospel: The Path to Salvation (Tony Evans) references several passages to support and expand on Romans 4:4-5: Romans 3:23 is used to establish universal sinfulness; Romans 5:8 demonstrates God’s love for sinners; John 3:16 is cited to show the universality and accessibility of salvation; and 2 Corinthians 5:21 is used to explain the substitutionary nature of Christ’s work (“He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him”). Each passage is used to build a step-by-step case for the gospel, culminating in the teaching of Romans 4:4-5 that righteousness is credited, not earned.

Jesus' Satisfaction: Justification and Our Transformative Faith (Open the Bible) cross-references Isaiah 53:11 with Romans 4:4-5, showing the continuity of the “counted as righteous” theme. The sermon also references Romans 8:1 (“there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”) to underscore the assurance that comes from justification, and John 1:12 (“to as many as received him…”) to explain who receives justification. Psalm 147 is cited to illustrate God’s pleasure in those who hope in his steadfast love, reinforcing the theme of Christ’s satisfaction in his people.

Embracing Divine Favor: A Journey of Grace (Real Life SC) references multiple passages to expand on the meaning of favor and grace: Luke 2:52 (Jesus increasing in favor), 2 Peter 3:18 (growing in grace), Psalm 119:58-60 (seeking God’s favor and obeying his word), Proverbs 8:32-35 and 3:3-6 (finding favor through wisdom, kindness, and trust in God), and Deuteronomy (diligent obedience). Each passage is used to illustrate practical ways to “grow into” the favor already given, and to reinforce the idea that favor is both a gift and a process of development.

Faith as Receiving: Abraham's Example of Righteousness (Desiring God) references several other biblical passages to reinforce the interpretation of Romans 4:4-5. Galatians 3:2 is cited to show that faith is the means by which believers receive the Spirit, not by works of the law. John 1:11-12 is used to equate believing in Christ with receiving Him, further supporting the idea of faith as receptive. Philippians 3:8-9 is referenced to contrast a righteousness “of my own that comes from the law” with the righteousness that comes “through faith in Christ,” and Romans 10:3-4 is used to illustrate the futility of seeking to establish one’s own righteousness instead of submitting to God’s gift of righteousness. Each of these passages is employed to deepen the understanding that faith is not a work but the means of receiving God’s righteousness.

Finding Rest in Christ Amidst Our Work (Desiring God) references Romans 4:4-5 directly to support the point that justification is by faith, not by works, and then brings in Ephesians 2:4 to highlight God’s “great love” as the basis for our new life in Christ, not our performance. 1 Peter 4:11 is cited to show that believers serve “by the strength that God supplies,” reinforcing the idea that even our work is empowered by God, not by our own effort. Jeremiah 32:17 and Romans 8:28 are also referenced to assure believers that God’s power and providence remove anxiety and bring rest, even in the face of obstacles.

Romans 4:4-5 Christian References outside the Bible:

Jesus' Satisfaction: Justification and Our Transformative Faith (Open the Bible) explicitly references Martin Luther, quoting his vivid description of Christ bearing the sins of all people as if he were each individual sinner (e.g., “you be Peter that denier… you be David that adulterer…”). This citation is used to deepen the congregation’s understanding of substitutionary atonement and the personal nature of Christ’s sin-bearing work. The sermon also references E.J. Young, a noted Isaiah commentator, to clarify that “knowledge of him” in Isaiah 53:11 refers to a faith-approximating knowledge of Christ, thus grounding the interpretation in respected scholarly work.

Embracing Divine Favor: A Journey of Grace (Real Life SC) quotes Andrew Murray, stating, “pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you,” to reinforce the necessity of humility for growth in favor and grace. This reference is used to support the sermon’s call for teachability and humility as prerequisites for experiencing God’s favor.

Romans 4:4-5 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Embracing Divine Favor: A Journey of Grace (Real Life SC) uses several detailed secular analogies to illustrate Romans 4:4-5: The preacher describes a “basket full of filthy rags” as a metaphor for human attempts to earn God’s blessings, likening it to offering worthless items in exchange for divine favor. The analogy of a child growing into a family heirloom wedding dress is used to depict how believers “grow into” the favor and righteousness already theirs, emphasizing development over achievement. The sermon also uses the illustration of losing a nickel versus a hundred-dollar bill to show how the value we place on favor determines our pursuit of it, and the story of being promoted to the stage at a large conference to illustrate unearned favor in action. Additionally, the preacher references the experience of trying to “fix” a dire situation through self-reliance (using the persona of Batman or Tarzan) and failing, only to see God’s favor work when self-effort is abandoned. The analogy of “leaning” on a wall that cannot support you is used to warn against trusting in one’s own understanding, and the story of technical confusion with lighting equipment (coaxial, biaxial, triaxial cables) is used to illustrate the difference between superficial understanding and truly “thinking like” God, reinforcing the need for divine understanding rather than mere information.

Finding Rest in Christ Amidst Our Work (Desiring God) uses a detailed analogy from the preacher’s own life, describing the experience of helping his future wife, Noel, move heavy boxes. The illustration centers on the moment when Noel expresses her love for him, transforming the exhausting work into a joyful and energized experience. This analogy is used to parallel the Christian’s experience of work when assured of God’s love: just as the declaration of love changes the nature of the labor, so the assurance of God’s love and justification by faith transforms the believer’s work from anxious striving into restful service. The preacher notes that, unlike Noel, God does not merely stand by but actively helps and empowers believers in their work, making the analogy both vivid and theologically rich.