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16 Therefore it is by faith that the inheritance is given, so that it may come by favour, and so the promise may be 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, who is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: I have made you a father to many nations, even before God whom you have believed, who gives life to the dead, and calls those things which are not, as though they were.

18 This Abraham, contrary to hope, believed in hope that he would be the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken: Thus shall your seed be.

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16 [a]Therefore it is by faith, that it might come by grace, and the promise might be sure to all the [b]seed, [c]not to that only which is of the Law: but also to that which is of the faith of Abraham who is the father of us all,

17 (As it is written, I have made thee a [d]father of many nations) even before [e]God whom he believed, who [f]quickeneth the dead, and [g]calleth those things which be not, as though they were.

18 [h]Which Abraham above hope, believed under hope, that he should be the father of many nations: according to that which was spoken to him, So shall thy seed be.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:16 The conclusion of this argument. The salvation and justification of all the posterity of Abraham (that is, of the Church which is gathered together of all people) proceedeth of faith, which layeth hold on the promise made unto Abraham, and which promise Abraham himself first of all laid hold on.
  2. Romans 4:16 To all the believers.
  3. Romans 4:16 That is to say, not only of them which believe and are also circumcised according to the Law, but of them also which without circumcision, and in respect of faith only, are counted amongst the children of Abraham.
  4. Romans 4:17 This fatherhood is spiritual, depending only upon the virtue of God, who made the promise.
  5. Romans 4:17 Before God, that is, by a spiritual kindred, which had place before God, and maketh us acceptable to God.
  6. Romans 4:17 Who restored to life.
  7. Romans 4:17 With whom these things are already, which as yet are not in deed, as he that can with a word make what he will of nothing.
  8. Romans 4:18 A description of true faith, wholly resting in the power of God, and his good will, set forth in the example of Abraham.

16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (as it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

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