Romans 4:1
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
Original Language Analysis
Τί
What
G5101
Τί
What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
1 of 10
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἐροῦμεν
shall we say
G2046
ἐροῦμεν
shall we say
Strong's:
G2046
Word #:
3 of 10
an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρα
father
G3962
πατέρα
father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
6 of 10
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
Cross References
Isaiah 51:2Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.Romans 4:16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; 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,Acts 13:26Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.John 8:56Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.2 Corinthians 11:22Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.Romans 7:7What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.Matthew 3:9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Historical Context
In first-century Judaism, Abraham was revered not just as patriarch but as the paradigm of righteousness. Texts like Jubilees, 1 Maccabees 2:52, and Sirach 44:19-21 portrayed him as justified through works—particularly his willingness to sacrifice Isaac. Paul's Roman audience, both Jewish and Gentile believers, would have immediately recognized this as the central debate: Does covenant membership depend on Torah observance and circumcision, or on faith in Christ?
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Paul choose Abraham specifically to prove justification by faith rather than any other Old Testament figure?
- How does the question 'as pertaining to the flesh' set up Paul's distinction between human achievement and divine gift?
- In what ways do we still try to claim spiritual inheritance 'according to the flesh' through heritage, ritual, or moral effort?
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Analysis & Commentary
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? Paul launches his exposition with a rhetorical question that would arrest any Jewish reader: What did Abraham discover kata sarka (κατὰ σάρκα, "according to the flesh")? The phrase carries layered meaning—Abraham as physical ancestor, but also achievement through human effort. After demolishing both Gentile paganism (1:18-32) and Jewish presumption (2:1-3:20), Paul must now address the inevitable objection: What about Abraham, the father of faith?
This question frames Paul's entire argument in Romans 4. Jewish theology in the Second Temple period had increasingly portrayed Abraham as righteous through his obedience, his willingness to sacrifice Isaac earning his justified status. Paul will systematically dismantle this works-based reading by appealing to Genesis 15:6, showing that Abraham's faith preceded both circumcision (Gen 17) and the Akedah (Gen 22). The patriarch becomes Paul's chief exhibit that justification has always been by faith alone.