Romans 4:16-24

GOD’S WORD Translation

¹⁶Therefore, the promise is based on faith so that it can be a gift.^[a] Consequently, the promise is guaranteed for every descendant, not only for those who are descendants by obeying Moses’ Teachings but also for those who are descendants by believing as Abraham did. He is the father of all of us, ¹⁷as Scripture says: “I have made you a father of many nations.”

Abraham believed when he stood in the presence of the God who gives life to dead people and calls into existence things that don’t even exist. ¹⁸When there was nothing left to hope for, Abraham still hoped and believed. As a result, he became a father of many nations, as he had been told: “That is how many descendants you will have.” ¹⁹Abraham didn’t weaken. Through faith he regarded the facts: His body was already as good as dead now that he was about a hundred years old, and Sarah was unable to have children. ²⁰He didn’t doubt God’s promise out of a lack of faith. Instead, giving honor to God ⌞for the promise⌟, he became strong because of faith ²¹and was absolutely confident that God would do what he promised. ²²That is why Abraham’s faith was regarded as the basis of his approval by God.

²³But the words “his faith was regarded as the basis of his approval by God” were written not only for him ²⁴but also for us. Our faith will be regarded as the basis of our approval by God—each of us who believe in the one who brought Jesus, our Lord, back to life.

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Footnotes

4:16 Or “grace.”

Romans 4:16-24

New International Version

¹⁶Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace^(A) and may be guaranteed^(B) 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.^(C) ¹⁷As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”^[a]^(D) He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life^(E) to the dead and calls^(F) into being things that were not.^(G)

¹⁸Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations,^(H) just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”^[b]^(I) ¹⁹Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead^(J)—since he was about a hundred years old^(K)—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.^(L) ²⁰Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened^(M) in his faith and gave glory to God,^(N) ²¹being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.^(O) ²²This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”^(P) ²³The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, ²⁴but also for us,^(Q) to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him^(R) who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.^(S)