Romans 4:15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. Truth to Learn Trying to keep the law causes God’s wrath against us. Behind the Words The words “brings about” are from the verb katergadzomai, which is a compound word made up...
Romans 4:14 – Precious Promise
Romans 4:14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, Truth to Learn Righteousness comes either by faith or by works, not both. Behind the Words The word translated “void” is kenoō, which means “to make empty,...
Romans 4:13 – Promise Received through Faith
Romans 4:13 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...
Romans 4:12 – Abraham’s Faithful Footsteps
Romans 4:12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised. Truth to Learn Circumcision doesn’t matter. Faith matters. Behind the Words The word translated “father” is...
Romans 4:11 – Signed and Sealed
Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, Truth to Learn Abraham’s...
Romans 4:10 – Before or After
Romans 4:10 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...
Romans 5:4 – Rejoice in Hope
Romans 5:4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Truth to Learn Difficulties should give us hope and assurance of our salvation. Behind the Words “Character” is translated from the Greek word dokimē, which is derived from the verb dokimadzō, meaning “to test for the purpose of finding good.” It is...
Romans 4:9 – Righteous Without Surgery
Romans 4:9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted 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...
Romans 4:8 – Blessed Through Faith
Romans 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the lord shall not impute sin." 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 form...
Romans 4:7 – Thrown-away and Covered
Romans 4:7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; Truth to Learn God has separated our sins us from and has covered them with the blood of Christ. Behind the Words The word translated, “lawless deeds” is the Greek word, anomia, which is made...
Romans 4:6 – Righteousness Without Works
Romans 4:6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes 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 “Just as” is translated from...
Romans 4:5 – Gift of Righteousness
Romans 4:5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, Truth to Learn It is our faith that God reckons as righteousness, not our works. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “ungodly” is asebēs. This is...
Romans 4:4 – Unearned Gift
Romans 4:4 Now to him who works, 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 works” are translated from ergodzomai, which means “to work or labor.” “Wages” is from...
Romans 4:3 – Righteous Abraham
Romans 4:3 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...
Romans 4:2 – No Bragging
Romans 4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, 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...
Romans 4:1 – Righteousness by Faith Demonstrated
Romans 4:1 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...
Romans 3:31 – Established, Not Nullified
Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law 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
Romans 3:30 since there 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...
Romans 3:29 – Non-Exclusive God
Romans 3:29 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...
Romans 3:28 – Faith Alone
Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the 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...
Romans 3:27 – No Bragging Rights
Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the 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 act of...
Romans 3:26 – His Righteousness
Romans 3:26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, 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...
Romans 3:25 – Covered by The Blood
Romans 3:25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over 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
Romans 3:24 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...
Romans 3:23 – Sinners All
Romans 3:23 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...
Romans 3:22 – Through Faith
Romans 3:22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to 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
Romans 3:21 But now the 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...
Romans 3:20 – Good Deeds
Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by 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,...
Romans 3:19 – Guilty!
Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Truth to Learn None of us can live without breaking the rules, no not one. Behind...
Romans 3:18 – Fear God
Romans 3:18 "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...
Romans 3:17 – The Peace Path
Romans 3:17 And the 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...