11 And (A)he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that (B)he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 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 (C)Abraham had while still uncircumcised.

The Promise Granted Through Faith

13 For the promise that he would be the (D)heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For (E)if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15 because (F)the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be (G)according to grace, (H)so that the promise might be [a]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, (I)who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, (J)“I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, (K)who gives life to the dead and calls those (L)things which do not exist as though they did;

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:16 certain

11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.(A) So then, he is the father(B) of all who believe(C) 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(D) that he would be heir of the world,(E) but through the righteousness that comes by faith.(F) 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless,(G) 15 because the law brings wrath.(H) And where there is no law there is no transgression.(I)

16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace(J) and may be guaranteed(K) 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.(L) 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[a](M) He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life(N) to the dead and calls(O) into being things that were not.(P)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:17 Gen. 17:5