Rom 4:4-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rom 4:4-5: 4:4-5 The logic of these verses is as follows: (1) The stated premise is that when people work , their pay is what they have earned , not a gift. (2) The unstated premise is that God is never indebted to his creatures (because they owe him everything), so anything he gives them is a gift (see also 9:14-16 ). (3) The conclusion is that therefore, people cannot be declared righteous before God because of their works.

b9:14-16►

dPs 32:1-2►

eRom 4:3►

‏ Romans 4:4-8

Summary for Rom 4:4-5: 4:4-5 ^a The logic of these verses is as follows: (1) The stated premise is that when people work, their pay is what they have earned, not a gift. (2) The unstated premise is that God is never indebted to his creatures (because they owe him everything), so anything he gives them is a gift (see also 9:14-16 ^b). (3) The conclusion is that therefore, people cannot be declared righteous before God because of their works.
Summary for Rom 4:7-8: 4:7-8 ^c This quotation from Ps 32:1-2 ^d follows the Jewish custom of supporting a reference to the Law with a reference in the Prophets or the Writings. Paul also uses a Jewish exegetical technique of linking unrelated quotations with a key word. Here, record . . . has cleared translates the same Greek word as “counted” in Rom 4:3 ^e.