Romans 4:11-21

11 And he received [the] sign of circumcision [as] seal of the righteousness of faith which [he had] being in uncircumcision, that he might be [the] father of all them that believe being in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned to them also;
12 and father of circumcision, not only to those who are of [the] circumcision, but to those also who walk in the steps of the faith, during uncircumcision, of our father Abraham.
13 For [it was] not by law that the promise was to Abraham, or to his seed, that he should be heir of [the] world, but by righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which [are] of law be heirs, faith is made vain, and the promise made of no effect.
15 For law works wrath; but where no law is neither [is there] transgression.
16 Therefore [it is] on the principle of faith, that [it might be] according to grace, in order to the promise being sure to all the seed, not to that only which [is] of the law, but to that also which [is] of Abraham's faith, who is father of us all,
17 (according as it is written, I have made thee father of many nations,) before the God whom he believed, who quickens the dead, and calls the things which be not as being;
18 who against hope believed in hope to his becoming father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be:
19 and not being weak in faith, he considered not his own body already become dead, being about a hundred years old, and the deadening of Sarah's womb,
20 and hesitated not at the promise of God through unbelief; but found strength in faith, giving glory to God;
21 and being fully persuaded that what he has promised he is able also to do;

Footnotes 7

  • [a]. 'In order to his being.' It is necessary perhaps to say, 'that he might be' in English; but that is an expression of purpose which goes rather too far. See Note i, ch. 1.20.
  • [b]. 'Father of circumcision' means, he in whom real separation to God was first publicly established. Perhaps 'of the faith, during [his] uncircumcision, of our father Abraham' may be clearer.
  • [c]. Or 'For the law.'
  • [d]. See Gen. 17.5
  • [e]. Or 'with,' epi. It is the state or condition of his mind in believing: see ch. 10.19 and 1Cor. 9.10, and Note at 2Tim. 1.12.
  • [f]. Gen. 15.5.
  • [g]. 'Found strength in faith' may be rather free, but 'strengthened by faith' might very easily be applied to his body, whereas it means that he was inwardly strengthened by faith. It is, I apprehend, in opposition to 'hesitating through unbelief.' Literally, it is 'gifted with strength.' Abraham was gifted with strength by faith (i.e. inwardly, in contrast with doubt).
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