Sermons on Romans 4:5
The various sermons below converge on the central interpretation of Romans 4:5 as emphasizing justification as a forensic, legal declaration by God that credits righteousness to the ungodly through faith, rather than a transformative process of becoming righteous. They consistently highlight the Greek term for "justify" as meaning "to declare righteous," correcting a longstanding Latin-based misunderstanding that conflated justification with sanctification. This shared foundation underscores that justification is a gift received by faith, not earned by works or moral progress. Nuances emerge in how the sermons frame the believer’s assurance: some stress the peace that comes from resting in Christ’s completed work apart from ongoing sanctification, while others focus on the believer’s security grounded in God’s unchanging justice, portraying divine justice as a source of comfort rather than condemnation. Additionally, the metaphor of a “joyful exchange” where Christ takes on sin and imparts righteousness recurs, reinforcing the simultaneous reality of being both sinner and righteous. The sermons also distinguish justification from mere forgiveness, emphasizing it as a full legal acquittal and a present, ongoing reality that counters self-condemnation and internal accusations.
Despite these commonalities, the sermons diverge in their theological emphases and pastoral applications. Some sermons lean heavily into the forensic legal framework, portraying justification as a courtroom verdict that precludes any possibility of double punishment, thereby shifting the focus to God’s justice as the believer’s defender. Others adopt a more relational or metaphorical approach, using vivid imagery like marriage or debt cancellation to illustrate the radical grace involved. While one sermon highlights the instantaneous and declarative nature of justification, another stresses its ongoing experiential reality in the believer’s life, especially in combating feelings of guilt and inadequacy. The treatment of faith itself also varies: some sermons carefully clarify that faith is not a meritorious work but the means of receiving righteousness, while others emphasize faith as trust that clings to God’s grace amid persistent sin. Finally, the sermons differ in how they address potential abuses of the doctrine, with some acknowledging antinomian concerns but affirming the necessity of justification for genuine assurance and transformation
Romans 4:5 Interpretation:
Understanding Justification: A Gift of Righteousness (Open the Bible) offers a unique historical-linguistic insight by tracing the confusion over justification to the Latin translation of the Bible, where the Greek word for "justify" (dikaio?, meaning "to declare righteous") was mistranslated as "to make righteous." This linguistic shift led to centuries of misunderstanding, conflating justification (a legal declaration) with sanctification (the process of becoming holy). The sermon emphasizes that Romans 4:5 is about God declaring the ungodly righteous by faith, not about making them righteous through a process. The preacher uses Martin Luther’s personal struggle and breakthrough with the Greek text to illustrate how the original language clarifies that justification is a gift received by faith, not a reward for moral progress.
Assurance of Justification and Victory in Christ (MLJTrust) interprets Romans 4:5 with a strong forensic emphasis, focusing on the legal declaration of righteousness for the ungodly. The sermon uniquely stresses that God’s justice is not only satisfied but now demands the believer’s pardon, since Christ has already borne the punishment for sin. The preacher argues that it would be unjust for God to punish the same sin twice—once in Christ and again in the believer. This is a notable perspective, shifting the focus from God’s mercy alone to the believer’s security in God’s unchanging justice. The sermon also references the Greek text’s forensic sense and compresses the argument into a legal framework, using the analogy of a courtroom where the verdict is already rendered in favor of the believer.
Justification by Faith: Luther's Transformative Revelation (Ligonier Ministries) offers a vivid and unique interpretation of Romans 4:5 by employing Martin Luther’s “joyful exchange” analogy, drawn from the Song of Songs, where the sinner is likened to a poor, indebted prostitute who marries the king. In this metaphor, the king (Christ) takes on all her debts (sins) and, in return, bestows upon her his royal status and wealth (righteousness). The sermon emphasizes that justification is not an internal transformation but a legal pronouncement—a change of status, not nature—whereby God declares the sinner righteous solely on the basis of faith, not works. The preacher highlights the Greek term for justification as a legal acquittal, contrasting it with the Latin-based misunderstanding of justification as a process of becoming inherently righteous. This linguistic detail is used to reinforce the radical nature of God “justifying the ungodly,” as Paul writes, and to underscore the Reformation’s break from the prevailing Catholic view.
Justification by Faith: The Heart of the Gospel (Desiring God) provides a detailed, step-by-step exegesis of Romans 4:5, focusing on the phrase “to the one who does not work.” The sermon interprets this as a portrait of the moment of justification, emphasizing its instantaneous, declarative nature—akin to a judge’s verdict—rather than a process of moral improvement. The preacher draws out the shocking nature of “justifies the ungodly,” arguing that faith itself is not a meritorious work or a form of godliness, but rather the means by which Christ’s righteousness is imputed to the believer. The sermon also stresses that justification is not based on any prior or subsequent works, and that the “ungodly” are justified while still ungodly, not after becoming godly.
Conquering the Flesh: Embracing God's Justification (SermonIndex.net) interprets Romans 4:5 by focusing on the phrase “God who justifies the ungodly” as one of God’s most astonishing titles. The preacher underscores that God does not justify the innocent—since none are innocent—but the truly ungodly, even at their lowest moments. The sermon draws a sharp distinction between forgiveness and justification, arguing that justification means being declared as righteous as Christ himself, not merely forgiven. The preacher also personalizes the application, encouraging listeners to cling to this truth in the face of self-condemnation and ongoing sin, and to see faith as trusting in God’s radical grace rather than relying on feelings or self-improvement.
Romans 4:5 Theological Themes:
Understanding Justification: A Gift of Righteousness (Open the Bible) introduces the theme that assurance and peace with God are grounded not in the believer’s ongoing sanctification or spiritual progress, but in the completed, external work of Christ. The sermon adds the nuanced angle that the peace of God is not based on the gradual curing of sin within us, but on the once-for-all gift of Christ’s righteousness credited to us, even while we are still battling sin. This theme is developed through the historical example of Luther, showing that true assurance comes from understanding justification as a declaration, not a process.
Assurance of Justification and Victory in Christ (MLJTrust) presents the distinct theological theme that God’s justice, often viewed as a threat, becomes the believer’s greatest comfort and assurance after justification. The preacher develops the idea that, post-justification, God’s justice is on the side of the believer, making condemnation not only impossible but “ridiculous.” This is a fresh facet, as it reframes the attribute of divine justice from a source of fear to a guarantee of security, rooted in the impossibility of double jeopardy for sin.
Justification by Faith: Luther's Transformative Revelation (Ligonier Ministries) introduces the theme of the “joyful exchange” or “marriage swap,” where the believer’s sin is given to Christ and Christ’s righteousness is given to the believer, resulting in a simultaneous status of “sinner and righteous” (simul justus et peccator). This theme is further developed by emphasizing that justification is not merely forgiveness or a blank slate, but the positive imputation of Christ’s righteousness, and that assurance and joy flow from knowing one’s status is secure in Christ, not in personal transformation.
Justification by Faith: The Heart of the Gospel (Desiring God) adds the nuanced theme that faith is not itself a form of godliness or a meritorious act, but the empty hand that receives Christ’s righteousness. The sermon also highlights the radical inclusivity of justification, as it is offered to the “ungodly,” and insists that the doctrine’s potential for abuse (i.e., antinomianism) does not negate its truth or necessity for genuine Christian assurance and transformation.
Conquering the Flesh: Embracing God's Justification (SermonIndex.net) presents the distinct theme that the ongoing experience of accusation and condemnation—whether from the devil or one’s own flesh—is decisively answered by the truth that God justifies the ungodly. The preacher stresses that justification is not just a past event but an ever-present reality for believers, and that the depth of one’s ungodliness does not disqualify one from God’s justifying grace. The sermon also explores the psychological and spiritual impact of internalizing this truth, suggesting that it is the key to overcoming persistent feelings of condemnation and inadequacy.
Romans 4:5 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Understanding Justification: A Gift of Righteousness (Open the Bible) provides a detailed historical insight into how the doctrine of justification was misunderstood in the early church due to the Latin translation of the Bible. The sermon explains that the Greek word for justification means “to declare righteous,” but the Latin translation rendered it as “to make righteous,” leading to a conflation of justification and sanctification. This historical context is traced through the development of doctrine up to the Reformation, highlighting how the rediscovery of the Greek text and the invention of the printing press enabled Luther and others to recover the original meaning of justification as a legal declaration, not a process of moral transformation.
Justification by Faith: Luther's Transformative Revelation (Ligonier Ministries) provides extensive historical context, describing the medieval Catholic understanding of justification as an internal process of becoming worthy of heaven, rooted in Augustine’s interpretation of Romans 5:5. The sermon recounts the cultural climate of fear and uncertainty regarding salvation in pre-Reformation Europe, illustrated by the trial of Joan of Arc and the widespread belief that no one could be certain of their standing before God. The preacher also details the impact of the Latin translation of the New Testament on the Catholic doctrine of justification, and how Luther’s return to the Greek text led to a revolutionary understanding of justification as a legal declaration rather than a process. The sermon situates Luther’s discovery within the broader context of the Reformation’s emphasis on sola Scriptura and the authority of Scripture over church tradition.
Romans 4:5 Cross-References in the Bible:
Assurance of Justification and Victory in Christ (MLJTrust) references several passages to support and expand on Romans 4:5. The sermon draws on 1 John 1:9 (“He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”) to argue that God’s justice now demands forgiveness for believers, since Christ has already paid the penalty. It also references Romans 4:25 (“who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification”) to show that the resurrection is the public declaration of our justification. The preacher further cites Hebrews 2 (Christ’s conquest over death and the devil), 1 Corinthians 15 (the resurrection as the foundation of assurance), Romans 6 (union with Christ in death and resurrection), 1 Peter 1:3 and 3:21 (resurrection as the basis for a living hope and a good conscience), and Ephesians 2:6 (being raised with Christ), weaving these texts together to demonstrate the comprehensive victory and security believers have in Christ’s finished work.
Understanding Justification: A Gift of Righteousness (Open the Bible) references Romans 1:16-17 to explain Luther’s breakthrough regarding the “righteousness of God” as a gift received by faith, not a standard to be achieved. The sermon also alludes to Hebrews 11 (the heroes of faith) to illustrate that justification is by faith, not by works or moral achievement.
Justification by Faith: Luther's Transformative Revelation (Ligonier Ministries) references Genesis 15:6 (“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”) to support the argument that justification is by faith, not works. The sermon also cites Psalm 32 (“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, whose sins are covered”) to illustrate the legal, declarative nature of justification. Romans 1:17 is discussed as the verse that initially troubled Luther, leading to his breakthrough understanding of the “righteousness of God” as a gift. The preacher also alludes to Romans 6 (the charge of antinomianism) and 1 John (“I write these things so that you may know you have eternal life”) to address assurance and the relationship between justification and sanctification.
Justification by Faith: The Heart of the Gospel (Desiring God) references Genesis 6:8 (“Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord”) and Genesis 15:6 to draw parallels between Abraham’s and Noah’s experiences of grace. The sermon also cites Romans 3:27-28 to discuss the exclusion of boasting, and Romans 5:6 (“Christ died for the ungodly”) to explain how God can justify the ungodly. Romans 6 is mentioned to address the objection that justification by faith alone leads to licentiousness.
Conquering the Flesh: Embracing God's Justification (SermonIndex.net) references Romans 8:33-34 (“Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies…”) to reinforce the assurance that comes from God’s justifying verdict. The sermon also cites Romans 4:5 as the foundation for overcoming condemnation, and alludes to Revelation 12:10 (the devil as the accuser) and Romans 8:28-29 (God works all things for good, conforming believers to the image of Christ) to situate justification within the broader context of Christian life and spiritual warfare. Matthew 6:9 (the Lord’s Prayer), John 5 (Jesus calling God Father), and 1 Corinthians 10:13 (God will not give more than one can handle) are also referenced as part of the “five truths” to which believers should cling.
Romans 4:5 Christian References outside the Bible:
Understanding Justification: A Gift of Righteousness (Open the Bible) explicitly references Martin Luther, detailing his personal struggle with sin and his breakthrough in understanding justification through studying the Greek New Testament. The sermon quotes Luther’s testimony about feeling “absolutely born again” when he realized that justification is a gift received by faith, not a process of becoming righteous. Luther’s experience is used to illustrate the transformative power of grasping the true meaning of Romans 4:5 and the assurance it brings.
Justification by Faith: Luther's Transformative Revelation (Ligonier Ministries) explicitly references Martin Luther, quoting his famous “Here I stand” speech at Worms and his writings on justification. The sermon also discusses Augustine’s interpretation of Romans 5:5 and its influence on medieval Catholic doctrine. Erasmus of Rotterdam is mentioned as the scholar who produced the Greek New Testament that Luther studied, but who failed to embrace sola Scriptura. The Catholic magazine “This Rock” and Leslie Rumble are cited to illustrate the ongoing debate over the meaning of justification in the Greek New Testament. The preacher also quotes Luther’s advice to a friend struggling with assurance, and his statement, “The love of God does not find, it creates that which is pleasing to it… Sinners are attractive because they are loved; they’re not loved because they make themselves attractive.” Betsie ten Boom is referenced for her statement, “There is no pit so deep that God’s love isn’t greater still,” to reinforce the reach of God’s justifying grace.
Romans 4:5 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Inner Strength: The True Power Beyond Samson's Story (Elan Church) uses a detailed analogy from the world of aviation and deep-sea exploration to illustrate the concept of internal versus external pressure, though not directly tied to Romans 4:5. However, when the sermon does reference Romans 4:5, it does so only briefly and without further illustration or application, so these analogies are not used specifically to interpret or apply Romans 4:5 and are therefore not included here.
Justification by Faith: Luther's Transformative Revelation (Ligonier Ministries) uses the analogy of a courtroom scene to explain the legal nature of justification, likening it to a judge pronouncing a verdict rather than asking for improved behavior. The sermon also employs the metaphor of a coffee break incident, where someone is asked to “justify” their actions—not by changing them, but by giving an account—illustrating the difference between justification as a verdict and sanctification as transformation. Additionally, the preacher references the cultural message of advertising, which tells people to make themselves more attractive to be loved, contrasting it with the gospel message that God’s love precedes and produces attractiveness in the beloved.