Romans 4
Abraham Justified by Faith
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? References Abraham: Romans 4:16, Isaiah 51:2, Matthew 3:9, John 8:56, Acts 13:26, 2 Corinthians 11:22. Parallel theme: Romans 7:7 +2
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. Glory: Romans 15:17, 1 Corinthians 1:29, 1:31, 4:7, 9:16, 2 Corinthians 5:12, 11:30. Righteousness: Philippians 3:9. Parallel theme: Galatians 3:22, Ephesians 2:9 +5
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Faith: Romans 4:5, 4:9, 4:11, 10:11, Genesis 15:6, James 2:23. Righteousness: Psalms 106:31. Word: Romans 11:2 +3
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. Grace: Romans 11:6. Parallel theme: Romans 9:32, 11:35
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Faith: Romans 3:22, 4:3, Habakkuk 2:4, John 5:24, 6:29, Philippians 3:9. Righteousness: Romans 10:3 +2
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Righteousness: Romans 1:17, 4:11, Isaiah 54:17, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:9. Blessing: Psalms 112:1, Galatians 3:14, Ephesians 1:3. Parallel theme: 2 Timothy 1:9 +5
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Sin: Psalms 85:2, Matthew 9:2
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believeBelieve: πιστεύω (Pisteuo). The Greek pisteuo (πιστεύω) means to believe or trust—active reliance upon Christ. 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish' (John 3:16)., though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faithFaith: πίστις (Pistis). The Greek pistis (πίστις) denotes faith, belief, or trust—confidence in God's character and promises. It's both intellectual assent and relational trust, central to justification (Romans 5:1). of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
The Promise Through Faith
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. Covenant: Romans 9:8, Galatians 3:29. Parallel theme: Genesis 12:3, 17:16, 28:14, Psalms 2:8
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Faith: Romans 3:31, 4:16, Philippians 3:9. Word: Isaiah 55:11, Galatians 2:21, Hebrews 7:19, 7:28 +2
15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by graceGrace: χάρις (Charis). The Greek charis (χάρις) denotes unmerited divine favor—God's kindness toward the undeserving. Salvation is 'by grace through faith' (Ephesians 2:8), not human merit.; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally., who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not weak in faithFaith: πίστις (Pistis). The Greek pistis (πίστις) denotes faith, belief, or trust—confidence in God's character and promises. It's both intellectual assent and relational trust, central to justification (Romans 5:1)., he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: Faith: Matthew 6:30, 8:26, 14:31. Parallel theme: Genesis 17:17
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; Faith: Isaiah 7:9, Luke 1:45, 1 Corinthians 16:13. References God: 2 Kings 7:19, Isaiah 35:4. Parallel theme: Daniel 10:19, Zechariah 8:9, 8:13, 2 Corinthians 12:10, 2 Timothy 2:1 +5
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Parallel theme: Romans 8:38, Genesis 18:14, Psalms 115:3, Jeremiah 32:17, 32:27, Matthew 19:26, Luke 1:37, 1:45, 2 Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 11:19 +5
22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Righteousness: Romans 4:3, 4:6
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; Parallel theme: Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 10:11
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believeBelieve: πιστεύω (Pisteuo). The Greek pisteuo (πιστεύω) means to believe or trust—active reliance upon Christ. 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish' (John 3:16). on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Resurrection: Acts 2:24, 13:30. Faith: 1 Peter 1:21
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Resurrection: 1 Corinthians 15:17. Righteousness: 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18. Parallel theme: Romans 8:3, Matthew 20:28, Galatians 1:4, Ephesians 5:2, 1 John 2:2, Revelation 1:5 +5