Because of this it is of faith 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 Truth to...
Romans 4:11 – Signed and Sealed
And he received a sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still in uncircumcision, resulting in his being the father of all those who believe being in uncircumcision, and righteousness being imputed to them also, Truth to Learn Abraham’s circumcision was a...
Romans 4:14 – Precious Promise
For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith has been made of no effect and the promise been made useless, Truth to Learn Righteousness comes either by faith or by works, not both. Behind the Words The word translated “of no effect” is kenoō, which means...
Romans 4:13 – Promise Received through Faith
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...
Romans 4:2 – No Bragging
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has a boast, but not before God. Truth to Learn Abraham was not saved by doing good works. Behind the Words “Boast” is translated from kauchēma, which is derived from the verb kauchaomai, meaning “to brag” or “to boast.” Kauchēma refers...
Romans 4:1 – Righteousness by Faith Demonstrated
What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? Truth to Learn The Old Testament has examples of justification by faith. Behind the Words “What then shall we say” is a rhetorical question that Paul uses often in this letter to the Roman...
Romans 3:31 – Not Useless, Set Firm
Do we then make the law void through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law. Truth to Learn Living by faith upholds the law, it doesn’t destroy it. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “we make … void” is a form of the verb katargeō....
Romans 3:30 – Faith for All
since it is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Truth to Learn God will justify anyone who comes by faith. Behind the Words The Greek word starting off this verse is different depending on which Greek text is used. Some have...
Romans 3:29 – Non-Exclusive God
Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, Truth to Learn No group of people has exclusive rights to God and His truth. Behind the Words “Only” is translated from the Greek word monon....
Romans 3:28 – Faith Alone
Therefore we conclude that a man to be justified by faith apart from works of law. Truth to Learn Righteousness comes by faith and faith alone, not by works. Behind the Words “Therefore” is from the Greek word oun, which marks a connection between the current phrase and that...
Romans 3:27 – No Bragging Rights
Then where is the boasting? It is excluded. Through what kind of law? Of works? No, but through a law of faith. Truth to Learn Salvation through faith in the blood of Christ is nothing to brag about. Behind the Words “Boasting” is from kauchēsis, which refers to the...
Romans 3:26 – His Righteousness
to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Truth to Learn God’s plan of salvation draws attention to His righteousness. Behind the Words The word, “demonstrate” if translated from endeixis, which refers to...
Romans 3:25 – Covered by The Blood
whom God set forth as a propitiation through faith in His blood as a demonstration of His righteousness, because in His forbearance God passed by the sins that were previously committed, Truth to Learn God will pass by our sins covered by the blood of Christ. Behind the Words...
Romans 3:24 – Free Righteousness
being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Truth to Learn Through faith in Jesus Christ we are declared to be righteous. Behind the Words “Being justified” is translated from dikaioō. This is based on dikaios, which as we saw in verse ten...
Romans 3:23 – Sinners All
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Truth to Learn Every one of us has committed sin. As a result, we don’t meet God’s reputation. Behind the Words “All” is translated from a form of the Greek word pas, which means “all, the totality,...
Romans 3:22 – Through Faith
and the righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ, toward all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; Truth to Learn You can’t earn righteousness, but you can receive it. Behind the Words The word translated “faith” is the Greek word pistis. This is...
Romans 3:21 – Righteousness Without Works
But now a righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, Truth to Learn There is a righteousness, which the Old Testament declared, that does not result from obeying all the rules. Behind the Words “Righteousness” is from the Greek...
Romans 3:20 – Good Deeds
Therefore by the works of law no flesh will be justified in His presence, for through the law is the knowledge of sin. Truth to Learn No one can do enough good deeds to be saved. Behind the Words “Therefore” is translated from the Greek word dioti, which is...
Romans 3:19 – Guilty!
Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be guilty before God. Truth to Learn None of us can live without breaking the rules, not even one. Behind...
Romans 3:18 – Fear God
There is no fear of God before their eyes. Truth to Learn It is good to fear God. Behind the Words The word translated “fear” is the Greek word “phobos” from which we get the English term “phobia.” It means, as it has been translated, “fear” plain and simple....
Romans 3:17 – The Peace Path
And a way of peace they have not known." Truth to Learn Real peace is only experienced on God’s path. Behind the Words The word translated “peace” is eirēnē, which refers to “the absence of warfare and dissention.” It is also used metaphorically, as in this verse, to mean...
Romans 3:16 – Pathway Choices
Destruction and misery are in their ways; Truth to Learn The path we take is up to us. The end result is up to God. Behind the Words The word translated “destruction” comes from the Greek word suntrimma, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and a form...