Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Romans 4:6

"Even as David also pronounceth blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works," — Romans 4:6 (ASV)

Though the case of David is not strictly parallel to that of Abraham and is treated only briefly, it is clear from the phrase “the same thing” that the overall theme remains the same. What strikes one as peculiar, however, is the apparent lack of harmony between the quote from Ps 32 and what Paul announces as its meaning. While Paul indicates that Ps 32:1–2 concerns the reckoning of righteousness apart from works, the passage itself contains neither of these terms. Instead, it speaks about offenses that have been forgiven and about sins that have been covered. But when we compare v.6 with vv.7–8, one Greek word stands out as common to both: the word translated “credit” in v.6 and “count” (GK 3357) in v.8. In fact, this word dominates the early part of the chapter, occurring in vv.3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11.

Paul’s training as a Pharisee shows through here, since it is evident that he is utilizing a principle of rabbinic interpretation known as the principle of analogy. This means that in situations where the same word occurs in two passages of Scripture, the sense in one may be carried over to explain the meaning in the other. In the case of Abraham, righteousness was credited to him, apart from works, on the basis of faith. In the case of David, obviously no good work is involved; rather, sin has been committed. So the far-reaching nature of justification is seen to still greater advantage.

One may add that since David was actually already a justified man, known as the man after God’s own heart, in his case we learn the truth that sin in the life of a believer does not cancel justification. God’s gifts are irrevocable (11:29). At the same time, God showed his displeasure regarding David’s sin, severely chastening him until the sin had been fully confessed, and even afterward, his sins produced havoc in his family (see 2Sa 12–21). Yet God did not withdraw his favor and support but guided him through these family crises. In contrast to Abraham, David lived under the regimen of the Mosaic law. Though the law is not mentioned, the text says that David “speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works” (v.6). Paul may be suggesting here that after David sinned, he could not rectify his situation by means of works. He was completely dependent on God’s mercy of forgiveness.