“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. The dramatic reversal: trusting God rather than trusting one's own works becomes the basis of justification. God justifies the ungodly—not the righteous, but sinners. Faith is the vehicle; righteousness is the result. Abraham's trust in God despite his ungodliness becomes the model.
Church Fathers on Romans 4:5
“To him that believes in Him that justifies the ungodly.” For reflect how great a thing it is to be persuaded and have full confidence that God is able on a sudden not to free a man who has lived in impiety from punishment only, but even to make him just, and to count him worthy of those immortal honors. Do not then suppose that this one is lowered in that it is not reckoned unto the former of grace. For this is the very thing that makes the believer glorious; the fact of…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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