Romans

Romans 4:11–18

¹¹And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. ¹²And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

¹³For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. ¹⁴For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless, ¹⁵because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.

¹⁶Therefore, 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. ¹⁷As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”^d He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist.

¹⁸Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”^e

Footnotes

d 4:17 Genesis 17:5|GEN 17:5
e 4:18 Genesis 15:5|GEN 15:5

Read all of Romans 4

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Greek it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

Romans 4:11

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
And	Καὶ	Kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
he received	ἔλαβεν	elaben	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G2983 I receive, take
sign	σημεῖον	sēmeion	Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular	G4592 a sign, miracle, indication
of circumcision	περιτομῆς	peritomēs	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G4061 circumcision
a seal	σφραγῖδα	sphragida	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G4973 a signet-ring, impression of a seal, the proof
of the	τῆς	tēs	Article - Genitive Feminine Singular	G3588 the
righteousness	δικαιοσύνης	dikaiosynēs	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G1343 justice, justness, righteousness
that	τῆς	tēs	Article - Genitive Feminine Singular	G3588 the
by	τῆς	tēs	Article - Genitive Feminine Singular	G3588 the
faith	πίστεως	pisteōs	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G4102 faith, belief, trust
uncircumcised	ἀκροβυστίᾳ	akrobystia	Noun - Dative Feminine Singular	G203 foreskin
So then	εἰς	eis	Preposition	G1519 into, in, among, till, for
he	αὐτὸν	auton	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
is	εἶναι	einai	Verb - Present Infinitive Active	G1510 I am, exist
father	πατέρα	patera	Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular	G3962 father, Father, ancestor
of all	πάντων	pantōn	Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural	G3956 all, the whole, every kind of
who	τῶν	tōn	Article - Genitive Masculine Plural	G3588 the
believe	πιστευόντων	pisteuontōn	Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural	G4100 I believe, have faith in
are not circumcised	ἀκροβυστίας	akrobystias	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G203 foreskin
in order that	εἰς	eis	Preposition	G1519 into, in, among, till, for
righteousness	δικαιοσύνην	dikaiosynēn	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G1343 justice, justness, righteousness
might be credited	λογισθῆναι	logisthēnai	Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive	G3049 I reckon, count, decide
to them	αὐτοῖς	autois	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same

Romans 4:12

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
And	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
father	πατέρα	patera	Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular	G3962 father, Father, ancestor
of the circumcised	περιτομῆς	peritomēs	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G4061 circumcision
who	τοῖς	tois	Article - Dative Masculine Plural	G3588 the
not	οὐκ	ouk	Adverb	G3756 no, not
only	μόνον	monon	Adverb	G3440 alone, but, only
are circumcised	περιτομῆς	peritomēs	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G4061 circumcision
but	ἀλλὰ	alla	Conjunction	G235 but, except
who	τοῖς	tois	Article - Dative Masculine Plural	G3588 the
also	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
walk	στοιχοῦσιν	stoichousin	Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Plural	G4748 I walk
in the	τοῖς	tois	Article - Dative Neuter Plural	G3588 the
footsteps	ἴχνεσιν	ichnesin	Noun - Dative Neuter Plural	G2487 a track, footstep
of the	τῆς	tēs	Article - Genitive Feminine Singular	G3588 the
faith	πίστεως	pisteōs	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G4102 faith, belief, trust
our	ἡμῶν	hēmōn	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural	G1473 I
father	πατρὸς	patros	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3962 father, Father, ancestor
Abraham	Ἀβραάμ	Abraam	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G11 Abraham
had before he was circumcised	ἀκροβυστίᾳ	akrobystia	Noun - Dative Feminine Singular	G203 foreskin

Romans 4:13

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
For	γὰρ	gar	Conjunction	G1063 for
the	ἡ	hē	Article - Nominative Feminine Singular	G3588 the
promise	ἐπαγγελία	epangelia	Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular	G1860 a promise
to Abraham	Ἀβραὰμ	Abraam	Noun - Dative Masculine Singular	G11 Abraham
his	αὐτοῦ	autou	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
offspring	σπέρματι	spermati	Noun - Dative Neuter Singular	G4690 seed, offspring
that	τὸ	to	Article - Nominative Neuter Singular	G3588 the
he	αὐτὸν	auton	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
would be	εἶναι	einai	Verb - Present Infinitive Active	G1510 I am, exist
heir	κληρονόμον	klēronomon	Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular	G2818 an heir, inheritor
world	κόσμου	kosmou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2889 the world, universe
was not	Οὐ	Ou	Adverb	G3756 no, not
through	διὰ	dia	Preposition	G1223 through, on account of
law	νόμου	nomou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3551 a law, the Mosaic Law
but	ἀλλὰ	alla	Conjunction	G235 but, except
through	διὰ	dia	Preposition	G1223 through, on account of
righteousness	δικαιοσύνης	dikaiosynēs	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G1343 justice, justness, righteousness
that comes by faith	πίστεως	pisteōs	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G4102 faith, belief, trust

Romans 4:14

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
For	γὰρ	gar	Conjunction	G1063 for
if	εἰ	ei	Conjunction	G1487 if
those	οἱ	hoi	Article - Nominative Masculine Plural	G3588 the
law	νόμου	nomou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3551 a law, the Mosaic Law
heirs	κληρονόμοι	klēronomoi	Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural	G2818 an heir, inheritor
faith	πίστις	pistis	Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular	G4102 faith, belief, trust
is useless	κεκένωται	kekenōtai	Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular	G2758 I empty, deprive of content, make unreal
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
the	ἡ	hē	Article - Nominative Feminine Singular	G3588 the
promise	ἐπαγγελία	epangelia	Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular	G1860 a promise
is worthless	κατήργηται	katērgētai	Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular	G2673 I bring to naught, sever, abolish

Romans 4:15

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
because	γὰρ	gar	Conjunction	G1063 for
the	ὁ	ho	Article - Nominative Masculine Singular	G3588 the
law	νόμος	nomos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G3551 a law, the Mosaic Law
brings	κατεργάζεται	katergazetai	Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular	G2716 I work out, produce, accomplish
wrath	ὀργὴν	orgēn	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G3709 anger, wrath, passion
And	δὲ	de	Conjunction	G1161 but, on the other hand, and
where	οὗ	hou	Adverb	G3757 where, whither, when
there is	ἔστιν	estin	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G1510 I am, exist
no	οὐκ	ouk	Adverb	G3756 no, not
law	νόμος	nomos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G3551 a law, the Mosaic Law
no	οὐδὲ	oude	Adverb	G3761 neither, nor, not even
transgression	παράβασις	parabasis	Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular	G3847 a transgression

Romans 4:16

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Therefore	Διὰ	Dia	Preposition	G1223 through, on account of
by	ἐκ	ek	Preposition	G1537 from out, out from among, from
faith	πίστεως	pisteōs	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G4102 faith, belief, trust
so that	ἵνα	hina	Conjunction	G2443 in order that, so that
may rest on	κατὰ	kata	Preposition	G2596 down from, against, according to, throughout, during
grace	χάριν	charin	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G5485 grace, favor, kindness
may be	εἶναι	einai	Verb - Present Infinitive Active	G1510 I am, exist
guaranteed	βεβαίαν	bebaian	Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular	G949 firm, steadfast, enduring
to all	παντὶ	panti	Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular	G3956 all, the whole, every kind of
offspring	σπέρματι	spermati	Noun - Dative Neuter Singular	G4690 seed, offspring
not	οὐ	ou	Adverb	G3756 no, not
only	μόνον	monon	Adverb	G3440 alone, but, only
to those who are	τῷ	tō	Article - Dative Neuter Singular	G3588 the
of	ἐκ	ek	Preposition	G1537 from out, out from among, from
the	τοῦ	tou	Article - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3588 the
law	νόμου	nomou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3551 a law, the Mosaic Law
but	ἀλλὰ	alla	Conjunction	G235 but, except
also	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
to those who are	τῷ	tō	Article - Dative Neuter Singular	G3588 the
of	ἐκ	ek	Preposition	G1537 from out, out from among, from
faith	πίστεως	pisteōs	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G4102 faith, belief, trust
of Abraham	Ἀβραάμ	Abraam	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G11 Abraham
is	ἐστιν	estin	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G1510 I am, exist
father	πατὴρ	patēr	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G3962 father, Father, ancestor
of us	ἡμῶν	hēmōn	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural	G1473 I
all	πάντων	pantōn	Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural	G3956 all, the whole, every kind of

Romans 4:17

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
As	καθὼς	kathōs	Adverb	G2531 just as, as
it is written	γέγραπται	gegraptai	Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular	G1125 I write
I have made	τέθεικά	tetheika	Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G5087 I put, place
you	σε	se	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Singular	G4771 you
a father	Πατέρα	Patera	Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular	G3962 father, Father, ancestor
of many	πολλῶν	pollōn	Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural	G4183 much, many, often
nations	ἐθνῶν	ethnōn	Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural	G1484 a race, people, the Gentiles
in the presence of	κατέναντι	katenanti	Preposition	G2713 opposite, in front of
God	Θεοῦ	Theou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
in whom	οὗ	hou	Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3739 who, which, what, that
he believed	ἐπίστευσεν	episteusen	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G4100 I believe, have faith in
the	τοῦ	tou	Article - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3588 the
gives life	ζωοποιοῦντος	zōopoiountos	Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2227 I make to live
to the	τοὺς	tous	Article - Accusative Masculine Plural	G3588 the
dead	νεκροὺς	nekrous	Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural	G3498 dead, a corpse
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
calls	καλοῦντος	kalountos	Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2564 I call, invite, name
being	ὄντα	onta	Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Neuter Plural	G1510 I am, exist
what	τὰ	ta	Article - Accusative Neuter Plural	G3588 the
not	μὴ	mē	Adverb	G3361 not, lest
yet	ὡς	hōs	Adverb	G5613 as, like as, how, while, so that
exist	ὄντα	onta	Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Neuter Plural	G1510 I am, exist

Romans 4:18

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Against	παρ’	par’	Preposition	G3844 from, in the presence of
all hope	ἐλπίδα	elpida	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G1680 hope, expectation
in	ἐπ’	ep’	Preposition	G1909 on, to, against, on the basis of, at
hope	ἐλπίδι	elpidi	Noun - Dative Feminine Singular	G1680 hope, expectation
believed	ἐπίστευσεν	episteusen	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G4100 I believe, have faith in
and so	εἰς	eis	Preposition	G1519 into, in, among, till, for
became	γενέσθαι	genesthai	Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle	G1096 I come into being, am born
father	πατέρα	patera	Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular	G3962 father, Father, ancestor
of many	πολλῶν	pollōn	Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural	G4183 much, many, often
nations	ἐθνῶν	ethnōn	Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural	G1484 a race, people, the Gentiles
just as	κατὰ	kata	Preposition	G2596 down from, against, according to, throughout, during
he had been told	εἰρημένον	eirēmenon	Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Singular	G2046 I say, speak
So	Οὕτως	Houtōs	Adverb	G3779 thus, so, in this manner
your	σου	sou	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular	G4771 you
offspring	σπέρμα	sperma	Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular	G4690 seed, offspring
be	ἔσται	estai	Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular	G1510 I am, exist