Romans 4:1
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
a. NLT: Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: [But] if so, what shall we say about Abraham, our forefather humanly speaking—[what did he] find out? [How does this affect his position, and what was gained by him?] [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “What shall we say then that Abraham our father…”
a. [What shall we say then that Abraham our] father [Strong: 3962. pater pat-ayr' apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent.]
2. “…as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?”
a. as pertaining [Strong: 2596. kata kat-ah' a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]
b. to the flesh [Strong: 4561. sarx sarx probably from the base of 4563; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):--carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).]
c. hath found [Strong: 2147 Zikriy zik-ree' from 2142; memorable; Zicri, the name of twelve Israelites:--Zichri.]
1). Albert Barnes Commentary: The main object of this chapter is to show that the doctrine of justification by faith, which the apostle was defending, was found in the Old Testament.
Romans 4:2
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
a. NLT: If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: For if Abraham was justified ([a]established as just by acquittal from guilt) by good works [that he did, then] he has grounds for boasting. But not before God! [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “For if Abraham were justified by works…”
a. [For if Abraham were] justified [Strong: 1344. dikaioo dik-ah-yo'-o from 1342; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent:--free, justify(-ier), be righteous.
b. [by] works [Strong: 2041. ergon er'-gon from a primary (but obsolete) ergo (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act:--deed, doing, labour, work.]
2. “…he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.”
a. [he hath whereof to] glory [Strong: 2745. kauchema kow'-khay-mah from 2744; a boast (properly, the object; by implication, the act) in a good or a bad sense:--boasting, (whereof) to glory (of), glorying, rejoice(-ing).]
b. [but not before] God [Strong: 2316. theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]
Romans 4:3
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
a. NLT: For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed in (trusted in) God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness (right living and right standing with God). [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. For what saith the scripture?
a. [For what saith the] Scripture [Strong: 1124 graphe graf-ay' a document, i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it):--scripture.]
1). Here Paul is appealing to the Old Testament for authority. He of course did this more than once. But I want to cite what Jesus said about the Old Testament.
2). Jesus believed and cited passages of Scripture which might seem particularly difficult for the natural man to believe. He quoted the supposedly contradictory accounts [liberal and apostate viewpoint] of man’s creation in the same passage.
a). Matthew 19:4-6 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
3). He believed and quoted about Noah’s flood.
a). Luke 17:26, 27 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
b). Matthew 24:37-39 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
4). He believed and quoted passages about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
a). Luke 17:28, 29 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
5). Jonah and the whale.
a). Matthew 12:39-41 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
12:41The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
6). Jesus believed Moses to be the author of the Pentateuch.
a). Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
b). John 5:46, 47 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.
5:47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
7). Jesus accepted the writings of Moses and referred to some of the miracles.
a). The burning bush.
(1) Luke 20:37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
b). The giving of manna.
(1) John 6:31, 32 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
6:32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
c). The brazen serpent.
(1) John 3:14, 15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
2. “…Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
a. Abraham [Strong: 11 Abraam ab-rah-am': of Hebrew origin (85); Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch:--Abraham.]
b. believed [Strong: 4100 pisteuo pist-yoo'-o: from 4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.]
c. God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]
d. [and it was counted unto him for] righteousness [Strong: 1343 dikaiosune dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay: from 1342; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:--righteousness.]
1). Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
2). As will be shown by Paul by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, Paul’s believing God previous to him being circumcised, is the spiritual precedent for God justifying uncircumcised Gentiles.
Romans 4:4
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
a. NLT: When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: Now to a laborer, his wages are not counted as a favor or a gift, but as an obligation (something owed to him). [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace…”
a. [Now to him that] worketh [Strong: 2038 ergazomai er-gad'-zom-ahee: middle voice from 2041; to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc.:--commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work.]
b. [is the]reward [Strong: 3408 misthós, mis-thos'; apparently a primary word; pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad:—hire, reward, wages.]
c. not [Strong: 3756 ou, oo; a primary word; the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not:—+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.
d. reckoned [Strong: 3049 logizomai log-id'-zom-ahee: middle voice from 3056; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):--conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).]
e. [of] grace [Strong: charis khar'-ece ; from 5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):--acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy).]
2. “…but of debt.”
a. [but of] debt [Strong: 3783 opheilema of-i'-lay-mah; from (the alternate of) 3784; something owed, i.e. (figuratively) a due; morally, a fault:--debt.]
1). Adam Clarke Commentary: Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt - Therefore, if Abraham had been justified by works, the blessings he received would have been given to him as a reward for those works, and consequently his believing could have had no part in his justification, and his faith would have been useless.
2). Because it is of grace it is not of works.
a). Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Romans 4:5
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
a. NLT: But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: But to one who, not working [by the Law], trusts (believes fully) in Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (the standing acceptable to God). [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “But to him that worketh not…”
a. [But to him that] worketh [Strong: 2038 ergazomai er-gad'-zom-ahee; rgazomai] [Strong: middle voice from 2041; to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc.:--commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work.]
b. not [Strong: 3361 me may; a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]
2. “…but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly…”
a. [but] believeth [Strong: 4100 mah maw or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (- soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.
b. [on him that] justifieth [Strong: 1344 dikaioo dik-ah-yo'-o; from 1342; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent:--free, justify(-ier), be righteous.]
c. [the] ungodly [Strong: 765 asebes as-eb-ace'; from 1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of 4576; irreverent, i.e. (by extension) impious or wicked:-- ungodly (man).]
3. “…his faith is counted for righteousness.”
a. [his] faith [Strong: 4102 pistis pis'-tis; from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.]
b. [is] counted [3049 logizomai log-id'-zom-ahee; middle voice from 3056; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):--conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).]
c. [for] righteousness [Strong: 1343 dikaiosune dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay; from 1342; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:--righteousness.]
1). An interesting fact of this encounter between Almighty God and Abram is that in verse 5, it appears to be night and yet in verse 12 the sun begins to go down. I have trouble believing that it took Abram the rest of the evening, the next morning and all day the next day to cut up the animals and finish right before the sun went down the next day. Now there may be a simple explanation for this, but because God is in the picture I don’t believe it is simple. Jewish tradition says that God took Abram outside the realm of reason and nature. (Stone Edition of the Chumash. Note under Genesis 15:5). I don’t think it is out of the question to believe that God brought Abram to a place where he could see the stars in the daytime. Supernatural travel has happened to more than a few individuals in Scripture. Elijah, Enoch, Phillip, Jesus, Paul, John. If God can bring a person to heaven such as John and Paul why not to a place where he can see the stars in the daytime.
a). Genesis 15:2-6 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
15:3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
15:4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
15:6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Romans 4:6
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
a. NLT: David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it: [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: Thus David congratulates the man and pronounces a blessing on him to whom God credits righteousness apart from the works he does: [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man…”
a. [Even as] David [Strong: 1138 Dabid dab-eed'; of Hebrew origin (1732); Dabid (i.e. David), the Israelite king:--David.]
b. [also] describeth [Strong: 3004 lego leg'-o: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.]
c. [the] blessedness [Strong: 3108 makarismos mak-ar-is-mos'; from 3106; beatification, i.e. attribution of good fortune:--blessedness.]
d. [of the] man [Strong: 444 anthropos anth'-ro-pos: from 435 and ops (the countenance; from 3700); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.]
2. “…unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,”
a. [unto whom] God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os; of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]
b. imputeth [Strong: 3049 logizomai log-id'-zom-ahee; middle voice from 3056; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):--conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).]
c. righteousness [Strong: 1343 dikaiosune dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay; from 1342; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:--righteousness.]
d. [without] works [Strong: 2041 ergon er'-gon; from a primary (but obsolete) ergo (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act:--deed, doing, labour, work.]
Romans 4:7
Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
a. NLT: “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: Blessed and happy and to be envied are those whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered up and completely buried. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven…”
a. [Saying Blessed are they whose] iniquities [Strong: 458 anomia an-om-ee'-ah; from 459; illegality, i.e. violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness:--iniquity, X transgress(-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.]
b. [are] forgiven [Strong: 863 aphiemi af-ee'-ay-mee; from 575 and hiemi (to send; an intensive form of eimi, to go); to send forth, in various applications (as follow):--cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up.]
2. “…and whose sins are covered.”
a. [and whose] sins [Strong: 266 hamartia ham-ar-tee'-ah; from 264; a sin (properly abstract):--offence, sin(-ful).]
b. [are] covered [Strong: 1943 epikalupto ep-ee-kal-oop'-to; from 1909 and 2572; to conceal, i.e. (figuratively) forgive:--cover.
1). Under the Old Covenant sin was forgiven but only covered. Because of Jesus sacrifice, under the New Covenant, sin is forgiven but also removed not just covered.
a). 1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
Romans 4:8
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
a. NLT: Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin.” [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: Blessed and happy and to be envied is the person of whose sin the Lord will take no account nor reckon it against him. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
a. Blessed [Strong: 3107 makarios mak-ar'-ee-os; a prolonged form of the poetical makar (meaning the same); supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off:-- blessed, happy(X -ier).]
b. [is the] man [Strong: 435 aner an'-ayr; a primary word (compare 444); a man (properly as an individual male):--fellow, husband, man, sir.]
c. to whom [Strong: 3739 hos hos, including feminine he hay, and neuter ho ho; probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]
d. the Lord [Strong: 2962 kurios koo'-ree-os; from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.]
e. [will] not [Strong: 3364 ou me oo may; 3756 and 3361; a double negative strengthening the denial; not at all:--any more, at all, by any (no) means, neither, never, no (at all), in no case (wise), nor ever, not (at all, in any wise).]
f. impute [Strong: 3049 logizomai log-id'-zom-ahee; middle voice from 3056; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):--conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).]
g. sin [Strong: 266 hamartia ham-ar-tee'-ah; from 264; a sin (properly abstract):--offence, sin(-ful).]
1). This is the essence of the New Covenant because of what Jesus has done.
a). Hebrews 10:16-18 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Romans 4:9
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
a. NLT: Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles? Well, we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: Is this blessing (happiness) then meant only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only…”
a.[Comest this] blessedness [Strong: 3108 makarismos mak-ar-is-mos'; from 3106; beatification, i.e. attribution of good fortune:--blessedness.]
c. then upon the] circumcision [only] [Strong: 4061 4061. peritome per-it-om-ay' from 4059; circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively):--X circumcised, circumcision.; from 4059; circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively):--X circumcised, circumcision.]
2. “…or upon the uncircumcision also…”
a. [or upon the] uncircumcision [also] [Strong: 203 akrobustia ak-rob-oos-tee'-ah; from 206 and probably a modified form of πόσθη pósthē (the penis or male sexual organ); the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e. gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person:—not circumcised, uncircumcised (with 2192), uncircumcision.]
3. “…for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.”
a. [for we say that] faith [Strong: 4102 pistis pis'-tis; from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.]
b. [was] reckoned [Strong: 3049 logizomai log-id'-zom-ahee; middle voice from 3056; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):--conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).]
c. [to] Abraham [Strong: 11 Abraam ab-rah-am'; of Hebrew origin Hebrew 85); Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch:—Abraham.]
d. [for] righteousness [Strong: 1343 dikaiosune dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay; from 1342; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:—righteousness.]
Romans 4:10
How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
a. NLT: But how did this happen? Was he counted as righteous only after he was circumcised, or was it before he was circumcised? Clearly, God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised! [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: How then was it credited [to him]? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “How was it then reckoned...”
a. How was...it reckoned [then] [Strong: 3049 logizomai log-id'-zom-ahee; middle voice from 3056; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):--conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).]
2. “…when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision…”
a. [when he was in]circumcision [Strong: 4061 peritome per-it-om-ay'; from 4059; circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively):--X circumcised, circumcision.]
b. [or in] uncircumcision [Strong: 203 akrobustia ak-rob-oos-tee'-ah; from 206 and probably a modified form of πόσθη pósthē (the penis or male sexual organ); the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e. gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person:—not circumcised, uncircumcised (with 2192), uncircumcision.]
3. “…Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.”
a. Not [Strong: 3756 ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh; a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:—+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]
b. [in] circumcision [Strong: 4061 middah mid-daw' (Aramaic) or mindah (Aramaic) {min-daw'}; from 4059; circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively):--X circumcised, circumcision.]
c. [but in]uncircumcision [Strong: 203. akrobustia ak-rob-oos-tee'-ah from 206 and probably a modified form of posthe (the penis or male sexual organ); the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e. gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person:--not circumcised, uncircumcised (with 2192), uncircumcision.]
1). Albert Barnes Commentary: Before or after he was circumcised? This was the very point of the inquiry. For if he was justified by faith after he was circumcised, the Jew might pretend that it was in virtue of his circumcision; that even his faith was acceptable, because he was circumcised. But if it was before he was circumcised, this plea could not be set up; and the argument of the apostle was confirmed by the case of Abraham, the great father and model of the Jewish people, that circumcision and the deeds of the Law did not conduce to justification; and that as Abraham was justified without those works, so might others be, and the pagan, therefore, might be admitted to similar privileges.
2). When God declared Abraham righteous was clearly before his circumcision immediately before the covenant of the parts, in Genesis 15.
a). Genesis 15:2-6 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
15:3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
15:4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
15:6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
3). This was also before the rite of circumcision was established as the entrance to the Covenant which did not occur until Genesis 17.
Romans 4:11
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:
a. NLT: Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: He received the mark of circumcision as a token or an evidence [and] seal of the righteousness which he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised—[faith] so that he was to be made the father of all who [truly] believe, though without circumcision, and who thus have righteousness (right standing with God) imputed to them and credited to their account, [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “And he received the sign of circumcision…”
a. [And he] received [Strong: 2983 lambano lam-ban'-o; a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas G1209 is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while G138 is more violent, to seize or remove)):—accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, × when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up).]
b. [the sign of] circumcision [Strong: 4061 peritome per-it-om-ay'; from 4059; circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively):--X circumcised, circumcision.]
2. “…a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised…”
a. [a] seal [Strong: 4973 sphragis sfrag-ece'; probably strengthened from G5420; a signet (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation); by implication, the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literally or figuratively:—seal.]
1). Just as circumcision was the seal of the righteousness that Abraham had by faith. Our faith is sealed but with the Holy Spirit.
a). Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
b. [of the] righteousness [Strong: 1343 dikaiosune dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay; from 1342; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:—righteousness.]
c. [of the] faith [Strong: 4102 pistis pis'-tis; from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.]
d. [which he had yet being] uncircumcisised [Strong: Strong: 203 akrobustia ak-rob-oos-tee'-ah ; from 206 and probably a modified form of πόσθη pósthē (the penis or male sexual organ); the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e. gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person:—not circumcised, uncircumcised (with 2192), uncircumcision.]
3. “…that he might be the father of all them that believe…”
a. [that he might be the] father [Strong: 3962 pater pat-ayr'; apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):—father, parent.]
b. [of] all [Strong: 3956 pas pas; including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:—all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), × daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, +no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]
c. [that] believe [Strong: pisteuo pist-yoo'-o; 4100 from G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):—believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.]
4. “…though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:”
a. [though they be not] circumcised [Strong: 203 akrobustia ak-rob-oos-tee'-ah; from 206 and probably a modified form of πόσθη pósthē (the penis or male sexual organ); the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e. gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person:—not circumcised, uncircumcised (with 2192), uncircumcision.]
b. [that] righteousness [Strong: 1343 dikaiosune dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay; from 1342; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:—righteousness.]
c. [might be] imputed [Strong: 3049 logizomai log-id'-zom-ahee ; middle voice from 3056; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):--conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).]
d. [unto them] also [Strong: 2532 kai kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]
1). This is exactly how righteousness is given, through faith, and the precedent was Abraham.
a). Romans 3:21-26 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
2). This what Paul was alluding to in Galatians.
a). Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
Romans 4:12
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.
a. NLT: And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: As well as [that he be made] the father of those circumcised persons who are not merely circumcised, but also walk in the way of that faith which our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only…”
a. [And the] father [Strong: 3962 pater pat-ayr'; apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):—father, parent.]
b. [of] circumcision [Strong: 4061 peritome per-it-om-ay'; from 4059; circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively):--X circumcised, circumcision.]
c. [to them who are] not [Strong: 3756 ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh; a primary word; the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not:—+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]
d. [of the] circumcision [only] [Strong: 4061 peritome per-it-om-ay'; from 4059; circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively):--X circumcised, circumcision.]
2. “…but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham…”
a. [but who also] walk [Strong: 4748 stoicheo stoy-kheh'-o; from a derivative of στείχω steíchō (to range in regular line); to march in (military) rank (keep step), i.e. (figuratively) to conform to virtue and piety:—walk (orderly).]
b. [in the] steps [Strong: 2487 ichnos ikh'-nos; (to arrive; compare G2240); a track (figuratively):—step.]
c. [of that] faith [Strong: 4102 pistis pis'-tis; from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.]
d. [of our father] Abraham [Strong: 11 Abraam ab-rah-am' ; of Hebrew origin Hebrew 85); Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch:—Abraham.]
3. “…which he had being yet uncircumcised.”
a. [which he had being yet] uncircumcised [Strong: 203 akrobustia ak-rob-oos-tee'-ah; from 206 and probably a modified form of πόσθη pósthē (the penis or male sexual organ); the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e. gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person:—not circumcised, uncircumcised (with 2192), uncircumcision.]
1). Adam Clarke Commentary: He is also the head and representative of all the circumcision of all the Jews who walk in the steps of that faith; who seek for justification by faith only, and not by the works of the law; for this was the faith that Abraham had before he received circumcision. For, the covenant being made with Abraham while he was a Gentile, he became the representative of the Gentiles, and they primarily were included in that covenant, and the Jews were brought in only consequentially; but salvation, implying justification by faith, originally belonged to the Gentiles; and, when the Gospel came, they laid hold on this as their original right, having been granted to them by the free mercy of God in their father and representative, Abraham. So that the Jews, to be saved, must come under that Abrahamic covenant, in which the Gentiles are included. This is an unanswerable conclusion, and must, on this point, for ever confound the Jews.
Romans 4:13
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.
a. NLT: Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: For the promise to Abraham or his posterity, that he should inherit the world, did not come through [observing the commands of] the Law but through the righteousness of faith. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world…”
a. [For the] promise [Strong: 1860 epaggelia ep-ang-el-ee'-ah; from G1861; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good):—message, promise.]
b. [that he should be the] heir [Strong: 2818 kleronomos klay-ron-om'-os; from G2819 and the base of G3551 (in its original sense of partitioning, i.e. (reflexively) getting by apportionment); a sharer by lot, i.e. inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor:—heir.]
c. [of the] world [Strong: 2889 kosmos kos'-mos; probably from the base of G2865; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally)):—adorning, world.]
1). All the sources I checked say this promise that Abraham should be “the heir of the world” is not in the promises God made to Abraham, but they attempt to fit them in there somewhere. The bottom line is though it is not found in the Scriptural record that God promised Abraham this, Paul said He did. It will be fulfilled at the second coming of Christ when he becomes the King of the world and we, His body being joint heirs with Him.
a). Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
b). Galatians 3:26-29 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
2). Adam Clarke Commentary: Abraham is here represented as having all the world given to him as his inheritance; because in him all nations of the earth are blessed: this must therefore relate to their being all interested in the Abrahamic covenant; and every person, now that the covenant is fully explained, has the privilege of claiming justification through faith, by the blood of the Lamb, in virtue of this original grant.
3). Dake: This refers to his being a blessing to all the nations of the earth. He will also literally inherit the earth along with all those blessed with him.
2. “…was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law…”
a. [was not to] Abraham [Strong: 11 Abraam ab-rah-am'; of Hebrew origin Hebrew 85); Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch:—Abraham.]
b. [or to his] seed [Strong: 4690 sperma sper'-mah; from G4687; something sown, i.e. seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting):—issue, seed.]
c. [through the] law [Strong: 3551 nomos nom'-os ; from a primary νέμω némō (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):—law.]
3. “…but through the righteousness of faith.”
a. [but through the] righteousness [Strong: 1343 dikaiosune dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay; from 1342; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:—righteousness.]
b. [of] faith [Strong: 4102 pistis pis'-tis; from G3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.]
Romans 4:14
For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
a. NLT: If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: If it is the adherents of the Law who are to be the heirs, then faith is made futile and empty of all meaning and the promise [of God] is made void (is annulled and has no power). [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void…”
a. [For if they which are of the] law [Strong: 3551 nomos nom'-os; from a primary νέμω némō (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):—law.]
b. [be] heirs [Strong: 2818 kleronomos klay-ron-om'-os; from G2819 and the base of G3551 (in its original sense of partitioning, i.e. (reflexively) getting by apportionment); a sharer by lot, i.e. inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor:—heir.]
c. faith [Strong: 4102 pistis pis'-tis; from G3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.]
d. [is] made void [Strong: 2758 kenoo ken-o'-o; from G2756; to make empty, i.e. (figuratively) to abase, neutralize, falsify:—make (of none effect, of no reputation, void), be in vain.] [Outline of Biblical Usage: to empty, make empty, of Christ, he laid aside equality with or the form of God to make void, deprive of force, render vain, useless, of no effect, to make void, cause a thing to be seen to be empty, hollow, false
2. “…and the promise made of none effect:”
a. [and the] promise [Strong: 1860 epaggelia ep-ang-el-ee'-ah; from G1861; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good):—message, promise.]
b. [made of] none effect [Strong: 2673 katargeo kat-arg-eh'-o; from G2596 and G691; to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively:—abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void.]
Romans 4:15
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
a. NLT: For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!) [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: For the Law results in [divine] wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression [of it either]. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “Because the law worketh wrath…”
a. [Because the] law [Strong: 3551 nomos nom'-os; from a primary νέμω némō (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):—law.]
b. worketh [Strong: 2716 katergazomai kat-er-gad'-zom-ahee; from G2596 and G2038; to work fully, i.e. accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion:—cause, to (deed), perform, work (out).]
c. wrath [Strong: 3709 orge or-gay'; G3713; properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy), violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implication punishment:—anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath.]
2. “…for where no law is, there is no transgression.”
a. [for where] no [Strong: 3756 ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh ; a primary word; the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not:—+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]
b. law [is] [Strong: 3551 nomos nom'-os; from a primary νέμω némō (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):—law.]
c. [there is] no [Strong: 3761oude oo-deh'; from G3756 and G1161; not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even:—neither (indeed), never, no (more, nor, not), nor (yet), (also, even, then) not (even, so much as), + nothing, so much as.]
d. transgression [Strong: 3847 parabasis par-ab'-as-is ; from G3845; violation:—breaking, transgression.]
Romans 4:16
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,
a. NLT: So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: Therefore, [inheriting] the promise is the outcome of faith and depends [entirely] on faith, in order that it might be given as an act of grace (unmerited favor), to make it stable and valid and guaranteed to all his descendants—not only to the devotees and adherents of the Law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, who is [thus] the father of us all. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace…”
a. [Therefore it is of] faith [Strong: 4102 pistis pis'-tis; from G3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.]
b. [that it might be by] grace [Strong: 5485 charis khar'-ece; from G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):—acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy).]
2. “…to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed…”
a. [to the end the] promise [Strong: 1860 epaggelia ep-ang-el-ee'-ah; from G1861; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good):—message, promise.]
b. [might be] sure [Strong: 949 bebaios beb'-ah-yos; from the base of G939 (through the idea of basality); stable (literally or figuratively):—firm, of force, stedfast, sure.]
c. [to] all [Strong: 3956 pas pas; including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:—all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), × daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, +no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]
d. [the] seed [Strong: 4690 sperma sper'-mah ; from G4687; something sown, i.e. seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting):—issue, seed.]
1). The promise is sure to all the seed, Jews and Gentiles if they believe in Christ Jesus.
3. “…not to that only which is of the law…”
a. not [Strong: 3756 ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh; a primary word; the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not:—+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]
b. [to that only which is of the]law [Strong: 3551 nomos nom'-os; from a primary νέμω némō (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):—law.]
1). There are faithful Jews who died before the time of Christ, but who faithfully looked forward to the promise of the Messiah. These will be included in the promise of being the heir of the world.
4. “…but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all.”
a. [but to that which is of the] faith [Strong: 4102 pistis pis'-tis; from G3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.]
b. [of] Abraham [Strong: 11 Abraam ab-rah-am' ; of Hebrew origin Hebrew 85); Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch:—Abraham.]
1). This speaking of all Gentiles who have accepted Christ.
a). Galatians 3:26-29 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
c. [who is the] father [Strong: 3962 pater pat-ayr' ; apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):—father, parent.]
d. [of us] all [Strong: 3956 pas pas; including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:—all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), × daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, +no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]
Romans 4:17
(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,
a. NLT: That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible: As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. [He was appointed our father] in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1). Summary: While Abram was living in Ur of the Chaldees, God appeared to him: Acts 7:2. He moved to Haraan with his family, his wife Sarai, his father, his brother and his wife and their son Lot. Abrams father Terah dies in Haraan and so Abram, his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot go into Canaan. At this time Abram was 75 years old, Genesis 12:4. In Genesis 13, Abram and Lot separate, with Lot choosing to dwell near Sodom. In Genesis 14, five kings from Mesopotamia come into Canaan and sack everything in their path, including the five cities of the plain, which is where Lot was living. Abram makes a covenant with the Amorite brothers before God to go rescue Lot. God blesses him and he is wonderfully successful. In Genesis 15 all the promises God has made to Abram about the land and his seed are solidified in the cutting of a Covenant. Genesis 14 and 15 are mountaintop experiences for Abram, it doesn’t get any better than this under the old Covenant. Then you have the debacle of Genesis 16 when Abram and Sarai try to fulfill the plan of God in their own flesh by letting Abram sleep with Hagar in order to try to get the promised seed. That brings us to Genesis 17. Romans 4:17-21 should not be studied unless the passage in Genesis 17:1-22 is looked at also. Romans 4:17-21 gives the facts of what happened in Abraham’s spiritual life after Genesis 17, the spiritual process of obedience to faith.
1. “(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations)…”
a. [As it is] written [Strong: 1125 grapho graf'-o; a primary verb; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe:--describe, write(-ing, -ten).]
b. [I have] made [Strong: 5087 tithemi tith'-ay-mee; a prolonged form of a primary theo theh'-o (which is used only as alternate in certain tenses) to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from 2476, which properly denotes an upright and active position, while 2749 is properly reflexive and utterly prostrate):--+ advise, appoint, bow, commit, conceive, give, X kneel down, lay (aside, down, up), make, ordain, purpose, put, set (forth), settle, sink down.]
c. [thee a] father [Strong: 3962 pater pat-ayr'; apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent.]
d. [of] many [Strong: 4183 polus pol-oos'; including the forms from the alternate pollos; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly.]
e. nations [Strong: 1484 ethnos eth'-nos; probably from 1486; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan):--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.]
1). This was spoken to Abram at the moment that Almighty God [El Shaddai] was changing his name to Abraham, which means Father of many nations.
a). Genesis 17:4, 5 As for me, behold my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
17:5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
2). In Genesis 17:2 God said, “And I will make my covenant between me and thee…”
a). Bible History Old Testament History, Alfred Edersheim, Hendrickson Publishers, Third Printing, 1998; page 65; Note #1. “The Expression “I will make my covenant” (Genesis 17:2 is quite different from that rendered by the same words in Genesis 15:18. In the latter case it is “to make”, literally, to cut a covenant”; while the terms in Genesis 17:2 are, “I will give My Covenant,” i.e., establish, fulfill.
(1) make [Strong: 5414 nathan naw-than' a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.):--add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, X avenge, X be ((healed)), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, + cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, X doubtless, X without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X pull , put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), + sing, + slander, strike, (sub-)mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, + weep, + willingly, + withdraw, + would (to) God, yield.]
(2) made [Strong: 3772 karath kaw-rath' a primitive root; to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces):--be chewed, be con-(feder-)ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league ((covenant)), X lose, perish, X utterly, X want.]
b). Even though in the English translation, the words of Genesis 15:18 and Genesis 17:2 are very similar, in the Hebrew Genesis 15:18 refers to the initial cutting of the Covenant, while Genesis 17:2 refers to the giving and causing it to come to pass.
2. “…before him whom he believed…”
a. before [Strong: 2713 katenanti kat-en'-an-tee; from 2596 and 1725; directly opposite:--before, over against.] [Zodhiates: katenanti; kata-against; enanti-opposite, before. Literally it means down over against, at the point over against, opposite…In the sense of “before” or “in the sight of”.]
1). In the margin of the KJV it reads, “before him: or, like unto him”. No other translation or Greek dictionary I have has that reference.
b. [him whom he] believed [Strong: 4100 pisteuo pist-yoo'-o; from 4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.]
3. “…even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were,”
a. [even] God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os; of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]
b. [who] quickeneth [Strong: 2227 zoopoieo dzo-op-oy-eh'-o; from the same as 2226 and 4160; to (re-)vitalize (literally or figuratively):--make alive, give life, quicken.] [Zodhiates: zoopoieo; zoos-alive; poieo-to make] [Zodhiates: to make alive, used primarily in the NT of raising the dead to life (John 5:21; Romans 4:17; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 36, to germinate; 1 Peter 3:18 Generally used in reference to salvation, answering to the Pauline connection between righteousness and life.]
c. [the] dead [Strong: 3498 nekros nek-ros' from an apparently primary nekus (a corpse); dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun):--dead.]
d. [and] calleth [Strong: 2564 kaleo kal-eh'-o; akin to the base of 2753; to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise):--bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)).]
e. [those things which] be] [Strong: 5607 on oan; including the feminine ousa oo'-sah; and the neuter on on present participle of 1510; being:--be, come, have.]
f. not [Strong: 3361 me may; a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]
g. as though [Strong: 5613 hos hoce; probably adverb of comparative from 3739; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.]
h. they were [Strong: 5607 on oan; including the feminine ousa oo'-sah; and the neuter on on present participle of 1510; being:--be, come, have.] [Zodhiates: being, it refers to existence.]
1). There is at least a 13 year gap in the Biblical record between the time when Ishmael was born and God appeared to Abram in Genesis 17:1. The last recorded incident before Genesis 17 is Genesis 15 and the cutting of the Covenant. Between Genesis 15 and Genesis 17 is the horrible decision in Genesis 16 of Abram and Sarai to use Hagar as a substitute to bring fulfillment to God’s promise of a Covenant seed.
a). Genesis 16:16-17:1 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael unto Abram.
17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
2). In light of the events of Genesis 16 we have to add another approximate year to the gap of recorded appearing’s of God to Abram, bringing the total years of gap to at least 14. After the incident when the strife erupted between Sarai and Hagar resulting in Hagar running away, the angel of the LORD appeared to Hagar rescued her and told her to return to her mistress. In all of this strife filled time period, it is not recorded that God appeared to Abram. In light of that it doesn’t surprise me that Abram fell on his face as Almighty God began to talk with him.
a). Genesis 17:1-3 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
17:2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
17:3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
3). As God was changing Abram’s name to Abraham, he was quickening what was dead in Abraham by calling those things which were not into being. The first thing quickened was Abraham’s faith.
a). Romans 10:17 Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
b). As El Shaddai spoke the rhema word to Abraham, his faith came alive. He was calling Abram who was not a father of many nations, Abraham, who was a father of many nations.
Romans 4:18
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.
a. NLT: Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have! [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible: [For Abraham, human reason for] hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, So [numberless] shall your descendants be. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “Who against hope believed in hope…”
a. Who [Strong: 3739 hos hos; including feminine he hay, and neuter ho, ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]
b. against [Strong: 3844 para par-ah'; a primary preposition; properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local (especially beyond or opposed to) or causal (on account of):--above, against, among, at, before, by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give (such things as they), + that (she) had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of, past, save, side...by, in the sight of, than, (there-)fore, with. In compounds it retains the same variety of application.]
c. hope [Strong: 1680 elpis el-pece' ; from a primary elpo (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence:--faith, hope.]
d. believed [Strong: 4100 pisteuo pist-yoo'-o; from 4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.]
e. [in] hope [Strong: 1680 elpis el-pece'; from a primary elpo (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence:--faith, hope.]
1). I am fully persuaded that the Amplified translation nails it here. This is describing Abram’s spiritual and emotional state just before God appeared to him in Genesis 17. The Amplified reads, “For Abraham, human reason for hope being gone”, while the Worrell reads, “who, past hope”. The 14 year gap of El Shaddai not speaking to him led Abram to being “past hope” his own “human reason for hope” was gone. The powerful mountain top experiences of Genesis 15 were 14 years in the past. Abram was past hope, all human reasoning for it was dashed.
2). In Romans 4:17-22 we see what happened in Abraham’s spiritual life, his faith after Genesis 17:1-22. As we shall see, from the moment God appeared to him in Genesis 17, Abraham began to resist the past hope being dashed, resisting the human reasoning that his hope was gone, believing instead the renewed hope, inspired by the appearance of God to him, that he would be the father of many nations.
2. “…that he might become the father of many nations…”
a. [that he might] become [Strong: 1096 ginomai ghin'-om-ahee; a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.]
b. [the] father [Strong: 3962 pater pat-ayr'; apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent.]
c. [of] many [Strong: 4183 polus pol-oos'; including the forms from the alternate pollos; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly.]
d. nations [Strong: 1484 ethnos eth'-nos; probably from 1486; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan):--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.]
1). After God appeared to him again and spoke to him, in Genesis 17, his faith and hope were renewed and he believed in hope that he might become the father of many nations.
2. “…according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.”
a. according to [Strong: 2596 kata kat-ah'; a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]
b. [that which was] spoken [Strong: 2046 ereo er-eh'-o; probably a fuller form of 4483; an alternate for 2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. speak or say:--call, say, speak (of), tell.]
c. so [Strong: 3779 houto hoo'-to, or (before a vowel houtos hoo'-toce; adverb from 3778; in this way (referring to what precedes or follows):--after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.]
d. [shall thy] seed [Strong: 4690 sperma sper'-mah; from 4687; something sown, i.e. seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting):--issue, seed.]
e. be [Strong: 2071 esomai es'-om-ahee; future of 1510; will be:--shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), X may have, X fall, what would follow, X live long, X sojourn.]
1). It is here that we see that the fresh rhema of Genesis 17 not only ignited Abraham’s faith and hope, but it inspired him to reconnect with the rhema of the last recorded time when God appeared to Abraham.
a). Genesis 15:1-5 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
15:2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
15:3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
15:4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
b). Abraham with faith and hope renewed, was linking what God was speaking in Genesis 17 to what God had spoken to him in Genesis 15 when the Covenant was originally cut.
Romans 4:19
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:
a. NLT: And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible: He did not weaken in faith when he considered the [utter] impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or [when he considered] the barrenness of Sarah’s [deadened] womb. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “And being not weak in faith…”
a. And [Strong: 2532 kai kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]
b. [being] not [Strong: 3361 me may; a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]
c. weak [Strong: 770 astheneo as-then-eh'-o; from 772; to be feeble (in any sense):--be diseased, impotent folk (man), (be) sick, (be, be made) weak.]
d. [in] faith [Strong: 4102 pistis pis'-tis; from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.] [Vine: The main elements in faith in its relation to the invisible God…are especially brought out in the use of this noun and the corresponding verb, they are: 1. A firm conviction producing a full acknowledgement of God’s revelation or truth [His word]. 2. A personal surrender to Him. 3. A conduct inspired by such surrender.]
1). How was Abraham not weak in faith? The rest of the verse gives the definition.
2. “…he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old…”
a. [he] considered [Strong: 2657 katanoeo kat-an-o-eh'-o; from 2596 and 3539; to observe fully:--behold, consider, discover, perceive.] [Zodhiates: to observe, notice, contemplate, consider.]
b. not [Strong: 3756 ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh; a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]
c. [his own] body [Strong: 4983 sōma, so'-mah; from G4982; the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively:—bodily, body, slave.]
d. now [Strong: 2235 ḗdē, ay'-day; apparently from G2228 (or possibly G2229) and G1211; even now:—already, (even) now (already), by this time.]
e. dead [Strong: 3499 nekroo nek-ro'-o from 3498; to deaden, i.e. (figuratively) to subdue:--be dead, mortify.] [Zodhiates: deadened, means dead, powerless, impotent, referring to the body.] [Strong: from 3498; to deaden, i.e. (figuratively) to subdue:--be dead, mortify.]
1). Why would the Bible call Abraham’s body dead when it was obviously alive? I believe the Scripture is calling attention to the reproductive abilities of not only Sarah but also Abraham. I have 5 Greek Dictionaries, Zodhiates, Vines, Thayer’s, Bullinger, and Strongs; of those five only two Zodhiates and Thayer give the term “impotent” in their definition. Vine’s, Bullinger, and Strong’s do not. I personally believe that Abraham was impotent, the older word now described as ED, erectile dysfunction.
2). Looking closely at the various translations we will see that some translations say Abraham did not consider, or considered not, while others say he did consider his body. The reason for this is shown in the note in the Holman translation: “Other manuscripts read he did not consider.” The reason for the differences in translation is because of the differences in manuscripts. That being said, those who have delved into the study of textual criticism (which I have a little bit), or who have studied New Testament Greek (which I have not), are familiar with the arguments over the preferences of manuscripts. Personally, I generally prefer the King James Version and the text that backs it up, the Textus Receptus or the Received Text. There are exceptions, but this is not one of them. If you took the time (which I have in the past but will not now), to look at the Greek text from which all the translations that say “Abraham considered his body” such as the NIV, the ASV, the NASB and the other like translations, you would not find the Greek word “ou” Strong # 3756, in the in the text. However, if you did take the time (which I have in the past, but will not now), of looking at the text behind the King James Version, you will find the Greek word “ou” Strong # 3756, in the text, and translated “not”. This is why there are differences in the translations. In the first four examples below, the English Standard Version, Holman Christian Standard Bible, New American Standard Bible and the Revised Standard Version as the well as the four examples at the beginning of this verse study, the translations will say Abraham considered his body. The last two, Young’s Literal Translation and the Hebrew Names Version, both say he did not consider his body.
a). English Standard Version: He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.
b). Holman Christian Standard Bible: He considered his own body to be already dead (since he was about 100 years old) and also considered the deadness of Sarah’s womb, without weakening in the faith.
(1) Note in Holman Translation: Other manuscripts read he did not consider.
c). New American Standard Bible: Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb;
d). Revised Standard Version: He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb.
e). Young’s Literal Translation: and not having been weak in the faith, he did not consider his own body, already become dead, (being about a hundred years old,) and the deadness of Sarah's womb,
f). Hebrew Names Version: Without being weakened in faith, he didn't consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb.
2). I prefer the King James, Young’s Literal Translation and the Hebrew Names Version on purely doctrinal grounds. Notice the following verses dealing with the characteristics of faith.
a). 2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
b). 2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
c). Abraham, by faith, chose not to look at what he could see in his own body that was about one hundred years old. He chose to look at what was spoken to him by God. Hence, “he considered not his own body”.
3. “…neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb.”
a. [neither yet the] deadness [Strong: 3500. nekrosis nek'-ro-sis from 3499; decease; figuratively, impotency:--deadness, dying.]
b. [of] Sarah’s [Strong: 4564 Sárrha, sar'-hrah; of Hebrew origin (H8283); Sarra (i.e. Sarah), the wife of Abraham:—Sara, Sarah.]
c. womb [Strong: 3388 mḗtra, may'-trah; from G3384; the matrix:—womb.]
1). Sarai according Genesis 11:30 was barren even in the years she was young enough to have children.
a). Genesis 11:30 But Sarai was barren; she had no child.
2). She also had gone through menopause.
a). Genesis 18:11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
3). It was naturally and scientifically impossible for this couple to have children.
Romans 4:20
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith giving glory to God;
a. NLT: Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible: No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1). Note: The passage Romans 4:17-22 is a description of what happened in Abraham’s faith, in his spirit, from Genesis 17 through Genesis 21:3. It is a very small sliver of time perhaps of no more than 12-14 months.
1. “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief…”
a. [He] staggered [1252 * diakrino; dia-denoting separation; krino-to distinguish, decide, judge] [Strong: from 1223 and 2919; to separate thoroughly, i.e. (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by implication, decide), or (reflexively) hesitate:--contend, make (to) differ(-ence), discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver.] [Zodhiates: To be at strife with oneself, i.e. to doubt, hesitate, waver.]
b. not [Strong: 3756 3756. ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]
c. [at the] promise [Strong: 1860. epaggelia ep-ang-el-ee'-ah from 1861; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good):--message, promise.]
d.[of] God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]
e. [through] unbelief [Strong: 570. apaistia ap-is-tee'-ah from 571; faithlessness, i.e. (negatively) disbelief (lack of Christian faith), or (positively) unfaithfulness (disobedience):--unbelief.] [apistia; a-negative; pistis-faith]
2. “…but was strong in faith giving glory to God…”
a. [but was] strong [Strong: 1743. endunamoo en-doo-nam-o'-o from 1722 and 1412; to empower:--enable, (increase in) strength(-en), be (make) strong.] [Vincent’s Word Studies: “was strengthened”.]
b. [in] faith [Strong: 4102. pistis pis'-tis from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.] [Vine: The main elements in faith in its relation to the invisible God…are especially brought out in the use of this noun and the corresponding verb, they are: 1. A firm conviction producing a full acknowledgement of God’s revelation or truth [His word]. 2. A personal surrender to Him. 3. A conduct inspired by such surrender.]
c. giving [Strong: 1325. didomi did'-o-mee a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):--adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.]
d. glory [Strong: 1391. doxa dox'-ah from the base of 1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective):--dignity, glory(-ious), honour, praise, worship.]
e. [to] God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]
1). Here are two examples of giving glory to God in the gospels.
a). Matthew 9:8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
b). Luke 13:13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
2). The difference between the two examples above and Abraham, was they did it after the fact while Abraham did it before the fact. While the opportunity to stagger in unbelief was there, Abraham chose to give glory to God, to speak what God had spoken. I love what the Amplified says: “…he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God.”
a). 2 Corinthians 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.
3). As Abraham gave praise and glory to God he was strengthened in his faith, and as that happened he received a quickening in his physical body that enabled him to have children.
Romans 4:21
And being fully persuaded, that what he had promised, he was able to perform.
a. NLT: He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible: Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “And being fully persuaded…”
a. [And being] fully persuaded [Strong: 4135 plerophoreo play-rof-or-eh'-o from 4134 and 5409; to carry out fully (in evidence), i.e. completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish:--most surely believe, fully know (persuade), make full proof of.] [Zodhiates: pleres-full; phoreo-to fill.] [Zodhiates: To fulfill, thoroughly accomplish, equivelant to persuade fully, give full assurance.] [Strong: from 4134 and 5409; to carry out fully (in evidence), i.e. completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish:--most surely believe, fully know (persuade), make full proof of.]
1). The event of Genesis 17:1-22 fully persuaded Abraham in faith.
a). Romans 10:17 Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
2). Abraham became fully persuaded that what God had promised, God was able to perform.
2. “…that what he had promised, he was able to perform.”
a. [that what he had] promised [Strong:1861. epaggello ep-ang-el'-lo from 1909 and the base of 32; to announce upon (reflexively), i.e. (by implication) to engage to do something, to assert something respecting oneself:--profess, (make) promise.]
b. he was able [Strong: 1415. dunatos doo-nat-os' from 1410; powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible:--able, could, (that is) mighty (man), possible, power, strong.]
c. [also to] perform [Strong: 4160. poieo poy-eh'-o apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield.]
Romans 4:22
And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
a. NLT: And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible: That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God). [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.”
a. [And therefore it was] imputed [Strong: 3049. logizomai log-id'-zom-ahee middle voice from 3056; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):--conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).]
b. [to him for] righteousness [Strong: 1343. dikaiosune dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay from 1342; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:--righteousness.]
Romans 4:23
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
a. NLT: And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible: But [they were written] for our sakes too. [Righteousness, standing acceptable to God] will be granted and credited to us also who believe in (trust in, adhere to, and rely on) God, Who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,] [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “Now it was not written for his sake alone…”
a. [Now it was] not [Strong: 3756. ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]
b. written [Strong: 1125. grapho graf'-o a primary verb; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe:--describe, write(-ing, -ten).]
d. [for his sake] alone [Strong: 3440. monon mon'-on neuter of 3441 as adverb; merely:--alone, but, only.]
1). What was written of course was God making a Covenant with Abram and Abraham growing in his relationship and trust of God.
a). Genesis 15:1-6 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
15:2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
15:3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
15:4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
15:6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
2). The events of what happened to saints and sinners in the Old and New Testaments were written to be examples for us, to give us wisdom and comfort.
a). Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
b). 1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
c). 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
3). Some of the things written also serve as warnings to us.
a). Jude 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
2. “…that it was imputed to him;”
a. [that it was] imputed [to him] [Strong: 3049 logizomai log-id'-zom-ahee middle voice from 3056; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):--conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).]
1). The amount of time between the appearance of God to Abraham in Genesis 17 and the birth of Isaac in Genesis 21 is about a year. What happened outwardly to Abraham is reported in the pages of Genesis 17 through Genesis 21, but what happened to Abraham inwardly in his spirit is recorded in Romans 4:18-22.
a). Romans 4:18-22 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.
4:19 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 Sarah's womb:
4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Romans 4:24
But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
a. NLT: for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible Classic: But [they were written] for our sakes too. [Righteousness, standing acceptable to God] will be granted and credited to us also who believe in (trust in, adhere to, and rely on) God, Who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed…”
a. [But for us also, to whom is shall be] imputed [Strong: 3049. logizomai log-id'-zom-ahee middle voice from 3056; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):--conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).]
1). What will be imputed is of course the righteousness of God that was imputed to Abraham because he believed God’s word concerning the conception and birth of Isaac. Here he declares the righteousness of God will be given to us.
2. “…if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;”
a. [if we] believe [Strong: 4100. pisteuo pist-yoo'-o from 4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.] 4100 * pisteuo]
b. [on him that] raised up [Strong: 1453. egeiro eg-i'-ro probably akin to the base of 58 (through the idea of collecting one's faculties); to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence):--awake, lift (up), raise (again, up), rear up, (a-)rise (again, up), stand, take up.]
c. Jesus [Strong: 2424. Iesous ee-ay-sooce' of Hebrew origin (3091); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.]
d. [our] Lord [Strong: 2962. kurios koo'-ree-os from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.]
e. [from the] dead [Strong: 3498. nekros nek-ros' from an apparently primary nekus (a corpse); dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun):--dead.]
1). If we believe the record of what God accomplished for us through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus the same righteousness of God will be imputed to us. It is how we get saved, how we enter into Covenant with God.
a). Romans 3:21, 22 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
b). Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
2). The main message in this passage from Romans 4 is of course believing God and receiving righteousness. But we must not forget Abraham’s faith filled behavior in this drama. While the physical circumstances surrounding Abraham and Sarah looked like it was impossible for that couple to have a child, Abraham chose to believe what God said to him over what the circumstances were. Abraham’s body was dead (impotent), Sarah’s body was also dead, (her womb was dead, she no longer had her menstrual cycle). It was scientifically impossible for them to have a child. But in the midst of that Abraham refused to consider the physical circumstances and confessed God’s word and praised God for His faithfulness.
Romans 4:25
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
a. NLT: He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. Amplified Bible: Who was betrayed and put to death because of our misdeeds and was raised to secure our justification (our acquittal), [making our account balance and absolving us from all guilt before God]. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “Who was delivered for our offences…”
a. [Who was] delivered [Strong: 3860 paradidomi par-ad-id'-o-mee; from 3844 and 1325; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit:--betray, bring forth, cast, commit, deliver (up), give (over, up), hazard, put in prison, recommend.]
b. [for our] offences [Strong: 3900 paraptoma par-ap'-to-mah; from 3895; a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression:--fall, fault, offence, sin, trespass.]
1). Our sin was laid on Jesus while he was on the cross.
a). Isaiah 53:5, 6 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
b). 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
2. “…and was raised again for our justification.”
a. [and was] raised again [Strong: 1453 egeiro eg-i'-ro; probably akin to the base of 58 (through the idea of collecting one's faculties); to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence):--awake, lift (up), raise (again, up), rear up, (a-)rise (again, up), stand, take up.]
b. [for our] justification [Strong: 1347 dikaiosis dik-ah'-yo-sis; from 1344; aquittal (for Christ's sake):--justification.]
1). This is why Scripture says that Jesus was justified in Spirit.
a). 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
2). When the sin penalty was paid, when the justice of God was satisfied Jesus was justified and we were justified, and it is then that Jesus came out of the grave.
a). Isaiah 53:10, 11 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
3). The NKJV, Young’s and the New American Standard translations have it right.
a). [New King James Version] “…and was raised because of our justification.”
b). [Young’s Literal Translation] “…and was raised up because of our being declared righteous.”
d). [New American Standard Version] and was raised because of our justification.”
4). When Jesus was justified, we were justified, when Jesus was quickened, we were quickened, when Jesus was raised, we were raised.
a). Justified
(1) 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
(2) Romans 3:24-26 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
b). Quickened and Raised together
(1) Ephesians 2:5, 6 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
(2) Though the debt has been paid for the whole world, for every human being, unless they get born again, the price Jesus paid will not benefit them, they will die lost and spend eternity in eternal torment.
c). Jesus was quickened, made alive, because Jesus bore our sin, Jesus became our sin. To the point that the type and foreshadow of our redemption in the Old Testament was a serpent on a pole.
(1) Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
(2) 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
(3) Numbers 21:4-9 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
21:5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there anywater; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
21:6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
21:7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
21:9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
(4) John 3:14, 15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
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