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,
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.
- KJV 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,
- 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
- 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 taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
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 you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
- Rom 9:8That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as heirs.
- Gal 3:22But the Scriptures imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
- Titus 3:7that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
- Isa 51:2Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for when he was but one I called him, and I blessed him, and made him many.
- Rom 15:8Now I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers,
- Eph 2:5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
- Rom 5:1Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
- 2 Pet 1:10Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.
- Heb 6:13–19For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself,
- Gal 3:7–12Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same are children of Abraham.
- Rom 4:11He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they might be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be accounted to them.
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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
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