Romans 4:23-25 Meaning: It Was Written for You
23Now it was not written that it was accounted to him for his sake alone,
24but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,
25who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.
23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him;
24but for our sake also, unto whom it shall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,
25who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.
23And it was not written on his account alone, that it was reckoned to him,
24but also on ours, to whom it is about to be reckoned--to us believing on Him who did raise up Jesus our Lord out of the dead,
25who was delivered up because of our offences, and was raised up because of our being declared righteous.
23Now it was not written on his account alone that it was reckoned to him,
24but on ours also, to whom, believing on him who has raised from among [the] dead Jesus our Lord,
25who has been delivered for our offences and has been raised for our justification, it will be reckoned.
Meaning in one sentence
Abraham's faith story was preserved to show that righteousness is credited to all who trust in God who raised Jesus for our justification.
Context
Paul has been building a careful case in Romans: we are made right with God by faith, not by keeping the law. He turns to Abraham, the father of the Jewish people, to prove his point. Genesis says Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. That happened long before circumcision or the law of Moses. But Paul does not stop with a historical fact. He says that story was put in Scripture for a reason. It was not written just to honor Abraham. It was written for us. The same God who counted Abraham righteous counts us righteous when we trust him. Our faith is in the God who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. Jesus was handed over to death because of our trespasses, and raised because of our justification.
Key Words
Paul uses three words worth holding on to. The first is logizomai, translated as “credited” or “reckoned.” It is a business word, meaning to put something on someone's account. God took Abraham's trust and wrote “righteous” next to his name. He does the same for you. The second word is paredothē, “was delivered over.” It is the same verb used for Judas betraying Jesus. But here it points to the Father giving up his Son into death for our sins. The third is dikaiōsis, “justification.” It means being declared righteous, brought into right standing with God. Not by your effort, but by what Christ did. These words together tell the whole story: your sin put Jesus on the cross, and his resurrection settled your account.
How Christians Read This Verse
Across Christian traditions, this passage is treasured because it connects our faith to Abraham's. Wesleyans often emphasize the universal invitation: this righteousness is credited to all who believe, regardless of background. Reformed teachers point to the definite purpose in God delivering up his Son and raising him. Catholic readers recognize the language of imputed righteousness, while also teaching that grace transforms the believer inwardly. Anglicans note that the story was written for our learning, as a pattern of faith for every generation. All agree that the death and resurrection work together. Neither the cross nor the empty tomb can be separated when we talk about how God makes us right.
A common misunderstanding
Some people read “was raised for our justification” and think the resurrection alone makes us right with God, as if the cross was not enough. In fact, the death and resurrection are a single saving work. He was delivered for our trespasses, the sacrifice for sin. He was raised because our justification was complete and accepted by the Father. Both are essential.
Living This Out
This week, you will probably tell yourself a story about who you are. Maybe you will focus on a failure, a habit you cannot shake, or a way you fall short. When that happens, come back to these verses. Your standing with God does not rest on your performance. It rests on what Jesus has done. God counted Abraham righteous because he trusted the promise. You can trust the same God. He has already raised Jesus. The payment is made. The account is settled. Let that shape how you live today.
Main takeaway: God recorded Abraham's faith so we would know he counts us righteous through Jesus, who died and rose to make us right.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God put Abraham's story in the Bible so you could learn about faith. Jesus died and came back to life so you could be God's friend forever. When you trust God, he is happy with you.
For ages 9, 12
The Bible is not just old history. God included the story of Abraham's faith on purpose. It shows us how to be right with God: by trusting him, not by being good enough. Jesus' death paid for every wrong thing you have done, and his resurrection proves God accepted that payment. When you put your trust in Jesus, God credits you with righteousness, the same way he did for Abraham. Your relationship with God is based on what Christ did, not on your own efforts.
Questions People Ask
What does the word 'credited' mean in Romans 4:23-25?
It comes from a Greek word for accounting, to put something on someone's account. God took Abraham's faith and wrote 'righteous' next to his name. Paul says God does the same for everyone who trusts in him.
How is the resurrection connected to our justification here?
Jesus was raised for our justification, which means his resurrection proves that his sacrifice was accepted. The death paid for sin; the resurrection confirms that we are now right with God. You cannot separate the two.
Was the Old Testament really written for us, or just for ancient Israel?
Paul says explicitly that Genesis 15:6 was not written for Abraham's sake alone, but for us. Other passages like Romans 15:4 and 1 Corinthians 10:11 echo this. The stories were preserved to teach and encourage believers of every generation.
Does 'delivered for our offenses' mean God caused Jesus to be betrayed?
Yes and no. Evil men betrayed and killed Jesus, but God's sovereign plan was at work. The word 'delivered' can mean handed over to justice or to death. Here it points to the Father giving up his Son as the sacrifice for our sins, a willing offering for our trespasses.
Why does Paul use Abraham as an example instead of someone else?
Abraham is the father of the Jewish people and the one to whom the promises were given. By showing that Abraham was justified by faith before circumcision and the law, Paul proves that the same principle applies to Jews and Gentiles alike.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study