亞伯拉罕的榜樣

那麼,從我們的先祖亞伯拉罕身上,我們學到什麼呢? 如果亞伯拉罕是因為有好行為而被稱為義人,他就可以誇口了,但他在上帝面前沒有可誇的。 聖經上不是說「亞伯拉罕信上帝,就被算為義人」嗎? 人工作得來的工錢不算是恩典,是應得的。 但對於只信赦免罪人的上帝、不靠功勞的人,他的信就被算為義。

大衛也說不靠行為而被上帝算為義的人是有福的,他說: 「過犯得到赦免、罪惡被遮蓋的人有福了。 不被主定罪的人有福了。」

那麼,這種福分只給受割禮的人嗎?還是也給沒有受割禮的人呢?因為我們說,亞伯拉罕信上帝,就被算為義人。 10 他究竟是怎麼被算為義人的呢?是他受割禮以前呢?還是以後呢?不是以後,而是以前。 11 他後來受割禮只不過是一個記號,表明他在受割禮前已經因信而被稱為義人了。他因此成為一切未受割禮的信徒之父,使這些人也可以被算為義人。 12 他也做了受割禮之人的父。這些人不只是受了割禮,還跟隨我們先祖亞伯拉罕的腳步,效法他在未受割禮時的信心。

13 上帝應許將世界賜給亞伯拉罕和他的後裔,不是因為亞伯拉罕遵行了律法,而是因為他因信而成了義人。 14 如果只有遵行律法的人才可以承受應許,信心就沒有價值,上帝的應許也就落了空。 15 因為有律法,就有刑罰;哪裡沒有律法,哪裡就沒有違法的事。 16 所以,上帝的應許是藉著人的信心賜下的,好叫這一切都是出於上帝的恩典,確保應許歸給所有亞伯拉罕的子孫,不單是守律法的人,也包括一切效法亞伯拉罕信心的人。 17 亞伯拉罕在上帝面前是我們所有人的父,正如聖經上說:「我已經立你為萬族之父。」他所信的上帝是能夠使死人復活、使無變有的上帝。

18 他在毫無指望的情況下仍然滿懷盼望地相信上帝的應許,因而成為「萬族之父」,正如上帝的應許:「你的後裔必這麼多」。 19 那時他將近百歲,知道自己身體如同已死,撒拉也過了生育的歲數,但他的信心仍然沒有動搖。 20 他沒有因不信而懷疑上帝的應許,反倒信心更加堅定,將榮耀歸給上帝。 21 他完全相信上帝必能實現祂的應許。 22 因此,他被算為義人。 23 「他被算為義人」這句話不單單是為他寫的, 24 也是為將來要被算為義人的我們寫的,就是相信上帝使主耶穌從死裡復活的人。 25 耶穌受害而死是為了我們的過犯,祂復活是為了使我們成為義人。

Abraham’s Justification by Faith

What then shall we say that Abraham, [a]our forefather (A)according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified [b]by works, he has something to boast about; but (B)not [c]before God. For what does the Scripture say? “(C)Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who (D)works, the wages are not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but (E)believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

(F)Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven,
And whose sins have been covered.
(G)Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not (H)take into account.”

Is this blessing then on [d](I)the circumcised, or on [e]the uncircumcised also? For (J)we say, “(K)Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.” 10 How then was it credited? While he was [f]circumcised, or [g]uncircumcised? Not while [h]circumcised, but while [i]uncircumcised; 11 and he (L)received the sign of circumcision, (M)a seal of the righteousness of the faith which [j]he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be (N)the father of (O)all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which [k]he had while uncircumcised.

13 For (P)the promise to Abraham or to his [l]descendants (Q)that he would be heir of the world was not [m]through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For (R)if those who are [n]of the Law are heirs, then faith is made void and the promise is nullified; 15 for (S)the Law brings about wrath, but (T)where there is no law, there also is no violation.

16 For this reason it is [o]by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with (U)grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to (V)all the [p]descendants, not only to [q]those who are of the Law, but also to [r](W)those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is (X)the father of us all, 17 (as it is written: “I have made you (Y)a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, that is, God, (Z)who gives life to the dead and (AA)calls into being (AB)things that do not exist. 18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become (AC)a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “(AD)So shall your [s]descendants be.” 19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now (AE)as good as dead since (AF)he was about a hundred years old, and (AG)the deadness of Sarah’s womb; 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, (AH)giving glory to God, 21 and (AI)being fully assured that (AJ)what God had promised, He was able also to perform. 22 Therefore (AK)it was also credited to him as righteousness. 23 Now (AL)not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, to us (AM)who believe in Him who (AN)raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was (AO)delivered over because of our wrongdoings, and was (AP)raised because of our justification.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:1 Or our forefather, has found according to the flesh
  2. Romans 4:2 Lit out of
  3. Romans 4:2 Lit toward
  4. Romans 4:9 Lit circumcision
  5. Romans 4:9 Lit uncircumcision
  6. Romans 4:10 Lit in circumcision
  7. Romans 4:10 Lit in uncircumcision
  8. Romans 4:10 Lit in circumcision
  9. Romans 4:10 Lit in uncircumcision
  10. Romans 4:11 Lit was in uncircumcision
  11. Romans 4:12 Lit was in uncircumcision
  12. Romans 4:13 Lit seed
  13. Romans 4:13 Or through law
  14. Romans 4:14 Or of law
  15. Romans 4:16 Or out of
  16. Romans 4:16 Lit seed
  17. Romans 4:16 Lit that which is
  18. Romans 4:16 Lit that which is
  19. Romans 4:18 Lit seed

The Example of Abraham

So what can we say that Abraham, ·the father of our people [L our forefather according to the flesh; Gen. 12—25], ·learned about faith [discovered in this regard; L has found]? If Abraham was ·made right [justified; declared righteous] by ·the things he did [L the works of the law], he had a reason to ·brag [boast]. ·But this is not God’s view [or …but he could not boast before God], because the Scripture says, “Abraham believed God, and ·God accepted Abraham’s faith, and that faith made him right with God [L it was credited/counted to him for righteousness; Gen. 15:6].”

When people work, their ·pay [wage] is not ·given [credited; counted] as ·a gift [grace], but as something ·earned [due to them]. ·But people cannot do any work that will make them right with God. So they must trust in him [L But for the one who does not work, but trusts in God], who ·makes even evil people right in his sight [justifies/makes righteous the ungodly]. Then God ·accepts their faith, and that makes them right with him [L credits/counts their faith for righteousness]. David said the same thing. He said that people are ·truly blessed [happy; spiritually fulfilled] when God, ·without paying attention to their deeds [apart from works], ·makes people right with himself [L credits/counts righteousness to them].

“·Blessed [Happy; Spiritually fulfilled] are they
    whose ·sins [lawless deeds] are forgiven,
    whose ·wrongs [sins] are ·pardoned [covered; blotted out].
·Blessed [Happy; Spiritually fulfilled] is the person
    whom the Lord does not ·consider guilty [L count sin against; Ps. 32:1–2].”

Is this ·blessing [happiness; spiritual fulfillment] only for those who are circumcised or also for those who are not circumcised? We have already said that ·God accepted Abraham’s faith and that faith made him right with God [L faith was credited/counted to Abraham for righteousness; v. 3]. 10 So how did this happen? Did God accept Abraham before or after he was circumcised? It was not after, but before his circumcision. 11 Abraham ·was circumcised [L received the sign of circumcision; Gen. 17:9–14] ·to show that he was right with God [L as a seal/guarantee of the righteousness he had] through faith before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the father of all those who believe but are not circumcised, so that ·they too may be accepted as being right with God [righteousness may be credited/counted to them also]. 12 And Abraham is also the father of those who have been circumcised and who ·live following [L walk in the footsteps of] the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

God Keeps His Promise

13 [L For] The promise Abraham and his ·descendants [seed] received that they would inherit the ·whole world [L world] ·did not come through [was not based on his obedience to] the law, but through ·being right with God by his faith [the righteousness that comes by faith]. 14 [L For] If people ·could receive what God promised [L are heirs] by following the law, then faith is worthless. And ·God’s promise to Abraham [L the promise] is ·worthless [nullified; canceled], 15 because the law can only bring God’s ·anger [wrath]. But if there is no law, there is ·nothing to disobey [no transgression/violation; C the law points out sin (5:13), but it cannot save from sin].

16 So people receive God’s promise by having faith. This happens so the promise can be ·a free gift [by grace]. Then all of Abraham’s ·children [descendants; offspring; L seed] can ·have [be guaranteed; be certain to have] that promise. It is not only for those who live under the law of Moses but for anyone who lives with faith like that of Abraham, who is the father of us all. 17 As it is written in the Scriptures: “I ·am making [L have made] you a father of many nations [Gen. 17:5].” This is true ·before [in the presence of] God, the God Abraham believed, the God who gives life to the dead and who ·creates something out of nothing [L calls things that did not exist into existence].

18 ·Though there was no hope that Abraham would have children [or When all seemed hopeless; L Against hope…], Abraham believed God and continued hoping, and so he became the father of many nations [Gen. 17:5]. As God told him, “·Your descendants also will be too many to count [L So shall your seed/offspring be; Gen. 15:5].” 19 Abraham was almost a hundred years old, ·much past the age for having children [L his own body (as good as) dead], and ·Sarah could not have children [L Sarah’s womb was dead]. Abraham ·thought about all [considered; or acknowledged] this, but his faith in God did not become weak. 20 He never ·doubted or stopped believing [or wavered through unbelief] that God would keep his promise. He grew stronger in his faith and gave ·praise [glory] to God. 21 Abraham ·felt sure [was fully convinced] that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 So, “·God accepted Abraham’s faith, and that faith made him right with God [L it was credited/counted to him for righteousness; Gen. 15:6].” 23 Those words (“·God accepted Abraham’s faith [L it was credited/counted to him]”) were written not only for Abraham 24 but also for us. ·God will accept us also [L …to whom it will be credited/counted] because we believe in the One who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 Jesus was ·given to die [handed/delivered over; 8:32] ·for [because of] our ·sins [violations; transgressions], and he was raised from the dead ·to make us right with God [for our justification; or to confirm our justification].

Abraham Justified by Faith

What then shall we say(A) that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh,(B) discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.(C) What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[a](D)

Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift(E) but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.(F) David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”[b](G)

Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised?(H) We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.(I) 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.(J) So then, he is the father(K) of all who believe(L) but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise(M) that he would be heir of the world,(N) but through the righteousness that comes by faith.(O) 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless,(P) 15 because the law brings wrath.(Q) And where there is no law there is no transgression.(R)

16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace(S) and may be guaranteed(T) to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.(U) 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[c](V) He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life(W) to the dead and calls(X) into being things that were not.(Y)

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations,(Z) just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”[d](AA) 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead(AB)—since he was about a hundred years old(AC)—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.(AD) 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened(AE) in his faith and gave glory to God,(AF) 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.(AG) 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”(AH) 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us,(AI) to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him(AJ) who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.(AK) 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins(AL) and was raised to life for our justification.(AM)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:3 Gen. 15:6; also in verse 22
  2. Romans 4:8 Psalm 32:1,2
  3. Romans 4:17 Gen. 17:5
  4. Romans 4:18 Gen. 15:5