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Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith.”
Greek vocab - chapter 4
dikaioō • δικαιόω • justify, vindicated, set right, declared righteous
ergon • ἔργον • works, deeds
kauchēma • καύχημα • boast, glory, pride
pisteuō • πιστεύω • trust, put faith in, believed
dikaiosynē • δικαιοσύνη • uprightness, righteousness, justice
ergazomai • ἐργάζομαι • to work, perform, to do, to serve
logizomai • λογίζομαι • reckoned, considered, counted, credited, regarded
charis • χάρις • gift, grace
chōris • χωρίς • without, apart from, separately
markarios • μακάριος • blessed, happy, fortunate
peritomē • περιτομή • circumcision, circumcised
akrobystia • ἀκροβυστία • uncircumcision, uncircumcised
sēmeion • σημεῖον • sign, possibly miraculous (but not necessarily)
sphragis • σφραγίς • seal, signet
epangelia • ἐπαγγελία • promise
kosmos • κόσμος • world, universe, order
nomos • νόμος • law
kleronomos • κληρονόμος • inherit, heir, receiver
elpis • ἐλπίς • hope, expectation
nekros • νεκρός • dead, lifeless, corpse
nekroō • νεκρόω • good as dead, death, put to death,
nekrōsis • νέκρωσις • death, deadness, barrenness
paraptōma • παράπτωμα • sin, trespass, transgression
egeirō • ἐλπίς • raise, awaken, stand up, rise, get up
elpis • ἐλπίς • hope, expectation
NRSV - Chapter 4
1 What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. 5 But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. 6 So also David speaks of the blessedness of those to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the one against whom the Lord will not reckon sin.”
9 Is this blessedness, then, pronounced only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We say, “Faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness.” 10 How then was it reckoned to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the ancestor of all who believe without being circumcised and who thus have righteousness reckoned to them, 12 and likewise the ancestor of the circumcised who are not only circumcised but who also follow the example of the faith that our ancestor Abraham had before he was circumcised.
13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.
16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall your descendants be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 Therefore his faith “was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 23 Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
NIV - Chapter 4
1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”
9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
KJV - Chapter 4
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 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 believe, 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 faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 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. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 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 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, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, 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 faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Cranfield (ICC) - Chapter 4
1 What then are we to say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified on the ground of works, then he does indeed have a right to glory. But this is not how God sees him; 3 for what does the scripture say? ‘And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness.’ 4 Now if a man does have works to his credit, his wages are not reckoned as a matter of grace but as a debt; 5 but to the man who has no work to his credit but believes in him who justifies the ungodly his faith is reckoned for righteousness, 6 even as David also pronounces the blessing of the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: 7 ‘Blessed are those whose iniquities have been forgiven and whose sins have been covered; 8 blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will in no wise reckon.’
9 Does this blessing then apply to the circumcision only or also to the uncircumcision? For we say: ‘To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness.’ 10 In what circumstances then was it reckoned? When he was circumcised or when he was still uncircumcised? It was not when he was circumcised, but when he was still uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness by faith which he had while still uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all those who, in a state of uncircumcision, believe, so that righteousness is reckoned to them, 12 and also the father of the circumcision for those who not only belong to the circumcision but also walk in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while he was still uncircumcised.
13 For it was not on the basis of fulfilment of the law that the promise was made to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but on the basis of the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is those who have a claim on the basis of their fulfilment of the law who are heirs, then faith has been rendered vain and the promise annulled; 15 for the law works wrath, but where there is no law, there there is also no transgression. 16 For this reason it is on the basis of faith, namely, in order that it may be according to grace, so that the promise may be certain of fulfilment for all the seed, not only for that which is of the law, but also for that which is of Abraham’s faith, who is the father of us all, 17a even as scripture says, ‘Father of many nations have I made thee’—
—17b before God, in whom he believed, the God who quickens the dead and calls things which are not into being. 18 He in hope against all hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations according to the word spoken to him, ‘So shall thy seed be.’ 19 And without weakening in faith he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb, 20 and yet did not waver in unbelief with regard to God’s promise, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God 21 and being fully persuaded that he had the power to do what he had promised.
22 That is why ‘it was reckoned to him for righteousness’.
23 But this statement of scripture that ‘it was reckoned to him’ was not written just for his sake, 24 but for our sakes also, to whom our faith is to be reckoned, who believe on him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
Dunn (Word) - Chapter 4
1 What then shall we say that Abraham our forefather according to the flesh has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified from works, he has something to boast about—but not before God. 3 For what says the scripture? “Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works the reward is not reckoned as a favor but as a debt. 5 Whereas to him who does not work but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is “reckoned for righteousness.” 6 As also David speaks of the blessedness of the person to whom God reckons righteousness without works:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered;
8 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will by no means reckon.”
9 This blessedness then, does it come on the circumcised or also on the uncircumcised? For we say, faith “was reckoned” to Abraham “for righteousness.” 10 How then was it “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 in his uncircumcision, in order that he might be father of all who believe through uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned to them as well, 12 and father of circumcision to those who are not only men of circumcision but also who follow in the footsteps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had in his uncircumcision.
13 For the promise to Abraham and his seed, that he should be heir of the world, did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if the people of the law are heirs, faith is rendered invalid and the promise is nullified; 15 for the law brings about wrath, and where there is no law there is also no transgression. 16 For this reason it is of faith, in order that it might be in accordance with grace, that the promise might be certain to all the seed, not to him who is of the law only, but also to him who is of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, “I have made you father of many nations,” before God in whom “he believed,” who gives life to the dead and calls things which have no existence into existence. 18 Against hope, in hope “he believed,” in order that he might become “father of many nations” in accordance with what had been said, “So shall your seed be.” 19 Without weakening in faith he considered his own body alreadyk dead, being about one hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not doubt the promise of God in disbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 being fully convinced that what he had promised he was able also to do.
22 Therefore “it was reckoned to him for righteousness.”
23 Nor was it written down for his sake alone that “it was reckoned to him,”
24 but also for us, to whom it is to be reckoned, who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,
25 who was handed over for our transgressions and raised for our vindication.
Fitzmyer (Yale) - Chapter 4
1 What, then, shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, found? 2 If Abraham was justified by deeds, he has reason to boast, but not before God. 3 For what does Scripture say? Abraham put his faith in God, and it was credited to him as uprightness. 4 Now when a person labors, wages are not credited to him as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But when one does not labor, yet puts faith in him who justifies the godless, his faith is credited as uprightness. 6 So too David utters a beatitude over the human being to whom God credits uprightness apart from deeds: 7 Blessed are those whose iniquities have been forgiven, whose sins have been covered up; 8 blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not credit.
9 Is this beatitude uttered, then, only over the circumcised, or over the uncircumcised too? We maintain that “faith was credited to Abraham as uprightness.” 10 Under what circumstances, then, was it credited (to him)? While he was circumcised or not (yet) circumcised? He was not circumcised, but (was still) uncircumcised! 11 He accepted the sign of circumcision as the seal of uprightness that comes through faith while he was still uncircumcised. Thus he was to be the father of all who believe when uncircumcised, so that uprightness might also be credited to them, 12 as well as the father of those circumcised, who are not only such but who walk in his footsteps along the path of faith that Abraham our father once walked while he was still uncircumcised.
13 It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham or to his posterity that he would inherit the world, but through the uprightness that came from faith. 14 For if the heirs are those who hold to the law, then faith has been emptied of its meaning and the promise nullified. 15 The law brings only wrath; but where there is no law, there is no transgression. 16 For this reason the promise depends on faith, that it might be a matter of grace so as to be valid for all Abraham’s posterity, not only for those who adhere to the law, but to those who share his faith. For he is father of us all; 17 as it stands written, I have made you the father of many nations. So he is in the sight of God in whom he put his faith, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that exist not. 18 Hoping against hope, Abraham believed, so as to become the father of many nations according to what had been said to him, So shall your posterity be. 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body to be already as good as dead (being about a hundred years old) and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 Yet he never wavered in disbelief about God’s promise, but, strengthened in faith, he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was capable indeed of doing what he had promised. 22 That is why Abraham’s faith was credited to him as uprightness. 23 Those words “it was credited to him” were written not only for Abraham’s sake, 24 but for ours too. It is also going to be credited to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was handed over (to death) for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
Jewett (Hermeneia) - Chapter 4
1 ‘Therefore what shall we say that Abraham our forefather found according to flesh?’ 2 For if Abraham was set right through works, he has a boast, but not in reference to God. 3 ‘For what does the scripture say?’
“Now Abraham believed in God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.”
4 Now to the one who works, his pay is not reckoned as a gift but as an obligation, 5 but to the one who does not work yet has faith in the one who sets right the impious, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. 6 Just as also David pronounces the blessing upon the person to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose iniquities have been forgiven and whose sins have been covered up;
8 blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will in no wise reckon.”
9 ‘Is this blessing therefore upon the circumcision or also upon the uncircumcised foreskin?’ For we say [that] “the faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness.” 10 ‘How therefore was it reckoned? While he was in (the state of) circumcision or in uncircumcised foreskin?’ Not in circumcision but in uncircumcised foreskin! 11 And he received a sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness through faith [that he had] while in uncircumcised foreskin, that he might become the father of all who have faith while in foreskin, that righteousness might be reckoned to them, 12 and the father of circumcision, not only to those who are circumcised, but also to those who walk in the steps of the uncircumcised foreskin faith of our father Abraham.
13 For it was not through a law [that] the promise to Abraham or his offspring [came] that he should inherit the world, but through righteousness of faith. 14 For if those of the law are the heirs, his faith has been invalidated and the promise was nullified. 15 For the law produces wrath. But where there is no law, neither [is there] transgression. 16 Because of this [it is] by faith, in order that according to grace, that the promise might be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those of the law but also to those of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 just as it has been written: “I have appointed you a father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he had faith, who gives life to the dead and calls that which does not exist into existence. 18 In hope beyond hope who had faith that he should become a father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 Also not having weakened in faith, he considered his own body already dead, since he was about a hundred years old, [he] also [considered] the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 Yet with regard to the promise of God, no doubt made him waver in unfaith, but he was empowered in his faith, giving glory to God, 21 and fully convinced that the one who had promised is capable also to do [it]. 22 For this reason “it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 23 But it was not written, “it was reckoned to him,” for his sake alone 24 but also for our sake, who were about “to be reckoned” as those having faith in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was handed over for the sake of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of our rightness.