For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. Truth to Learn God’s promise of salvation is based on faith, not obedience. Behind the Words The word translated “promise”...
Romans 4:12 – Abraham’s Faithful Footsteps
and a father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but also walking in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while uncircumcised. Truth to Learn Circumcision doesn’t matter. Faith matters. Behind the Words The word translated “father” is patēr, which means...
Romans 4:10 – Before or After
How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. Truth to Learn Obedience to God is the result of faith, not the cause of it. Behind the Words “While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised?” could more literally be translated as “Being...
Romans 4:7 – Thrown-away and Covered
Sorry this e-mail is late. I just noticed that it didn't get sent out last week. Will "Blessed are those whose lawless acts have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered; Truth to Learn God has separated our sins us from and has covered them with the...
Romans 4:9 – Righteous Without Surgery
Is this blessedness then on the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness. Truth to Learn We can receive the same blessedness that Abraham enjoyed through faith. Behind the Words “Blessedness” is from makarismos, which we looked at...
Romans 4:8 – Blessed Through Faith
Blessed is the man whose sin the lord will no way take into account." Truth to Learn God considers those who believe His promises as sinless. As a result, He shows His favor to them. Behind the Words The word translated “Blessed” is makarios. We looked at the verb...
Romans 4:6 – Righteousness Without Works
exactly as David says of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: Truth to Learn David also talked about those who are blessed due to God’s declaring them righteous without having done good works. Behind the Words “Exactly as” is translated from kathaper,...
Romans 4:5 – Gift of Righteousness
But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness, Truth to Learn It is our faith that God reckons as righteousness, not our works. Behind the Words “Believes” is from pisteuō. This is the verb form of...
Romans 4:4 – Unearned Gift
Now to him who is working, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. Truth to Learn Abraham did not earn his righteousness and neither can we. Behind the Words The words “who is working” are translated from ergodzomai, which means “to work or labor.” “Wages” is...
Romans 4:3 – Righteous Abraham
For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Truth to Learn Righteousness comes by believing God’s message. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “accounted” is logidzomai, which is an accounting term meaning “to count out as one would count...