Romans 4:16

WEB KJV BSB ESV NKJV NASB NLT

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,
Romans 4:16 · King James Version

Parallel translations

WEB For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the offspring, 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.
BSB Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
NKJV Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all
NASB For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,
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 are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

Salvation is by faith so that it rests on grace and the promise is guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring. Grace secures the promise for both Jew and Gentile believers.

Overview

Paul ties faith and grace together: because the inheritance is by faith, it depends on God's grace and is therefore certain for everyone who believes. Abraham is 'the father of us all,' embracing believing Jews and Gentiles alike. The guarantee of the promise rests not on fallible human works but on the faithful grace of God in Christ.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 13

Rom 3:24–26Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Rom 9:8That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Gal 3:22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Titus 3:7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Isa 51:2Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.
Rom 15:8Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
Eph 2:5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Rom 5:1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Pet 1:10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Heb 6:13–19For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
Gal 3:7–12Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
Rom 4:11And 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:

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (9)

ABRAHAM BIGOTRY CATHOLICITY FAITH GRACE OF GOD JUSTIFICATION RESURRECTION SALVATION WORKS

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

VideoBibleProject — Romans videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
VideoWatch teaching on Romans 4:16YouTube · Lay · Free
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
CommentaryMatthew Henry on RomansMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.

How Romans 4:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.

← Romans 4:15 Whole chapter Romans 4:17 →