With the definition of Romans 4:4, let’s now read the next verse, Romans 4:5.
And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.
Yes, God justifies the trusting person who…
- does not work a law system,
- does not work to earn,
- does not work to boast.
Those are the works Paul specifies in Romans 4. They are the works as defined by Paul in that context. They cannot save because man is never perfect enough to earn, never good enough to boast. Only God is good enough (Matthew 19:17). Only God is powerful enough. And—how we sinners praise Him!—only God is merciful enough to save us.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
In terms of our illustration, Paul is saying, “Don’t try to save yourself by trying to climb over the wall of sin. It will never work. You will never climb high enough to boast about meeting God through your own effort. The way to be saved is by trusting the gracious way God has provided through the death of His Son.” Paul is not saying, “Never move. Never enter the tunnel. Never go to meet your God.” When Paul excludes “works,” he has no intention of excluding the proper response to the Gospel.