Romans 4
Wycliffe Bible
4 What then shall we say, that Abraham our father after the flesh found?
2 For if Abraham is justified of works of the law, he hath glory, but not with God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed to God, and it was areckoned [reckoned] to him to rightwiseness.
4 And to him that worketh meed is not areckoned by grace [is not given to, or reckoned, after grace], but by debt.
5 Soothly to him that worketh not, but believeth into him that justifieth a wicked man, his faith is areckoned to rightwiseness[a], after the purpose of God's grace.
6 As David saith the blessedness of a man, whom God accepteth, he giveth to him rightwiseness without works of the law, [As and David saith the blessedness of a man, to whom God accepteth, rightwiseness without works,]
7 Blessed be they, whose wickednesses be forgiven, and whose sins be hid [and whose sins be covered, or hid].
8 Blessed is that man, to whom God areckoned [reckoned] not sin.
9 Then whether dwelleth this blessedness only in circumcision, or also in prepuce? For we say, that the faith was areckoned [reckoned] to Abraham to rightwiseness.
10 How then was it areckoned [reckoned]? in circumcision, or in prepuce? Not in circumcision, but in prepuce.
11 And he took a sign of circumcision, a token of rightwiseness of the faith [a marking, or tokening, of rightwiseness of faith] which is in prepuce, that he be father of all men believing by prepuce, that it be areckoned [reckoned] also to them to rightwiseness;
12 and that he be father of circumcision, not only to them that be of circumcision, but also to them that follow the steps of the faith, which faith is in prepuce of our father Abraham. [and that he be father of circumcision, not only to them that be of circumcision, but and to them that follow the steps of the faith of our father Abraham, that is in prepuce.]
13 For not by the law is [the] promise to Abraham, or to his seed, that he should be [the] heir of the world, but by the rightwiseness of faith.
14 For if they that be of the law, be heirs, faith is destroyed, promise is done away.
15 For the law worketh wrath; for where is no law, there is no trespass, neither is trespassing. [Forsooth the law worketh wrath; soothly where the law is not, neither is prevarication, or trespassing.]
16 Therefore rightwiseness is of faith, that by grace promise be stable to each seed [that after grace promise be stable, or steadfast, to each seed], not to that seed only that is of the law, but to that that is of the faith of Abraham, which is father of us all.
17 As it is written, For I have set thee father of many folks, before God to whom thou hast believed. The which God quickeneth dead men [The which quickeneth the dead], and calleth those things that be not, as those that be.
18 [The] Which Abraham against hope believed into hope, that he should be made father of many folks, as it was said to him [after that it is said to him], Thus shall thy seed be, as the stars of heaven, and as the gravel [and as gravel, or sand,] that is in the brink of the sea.
19 And he was not made unsteadfast in the belief, neither he beheld his body then nigh dead [neither he beheld his body now nigh dead], when he was almost of an hundred years, nor the womb of Sarah nigh dead.
20 Also in the promise of God he doubted not with untrust; but he was comforted in belief, giving glory to God,
21 witting most fully that whatever things God hath promised, he is mighty also to do.
22 Therefore it was areckoned [reckoned] to him to rightwiseness.
23 And it is not written only for him, that it was areckoned [reckoned] to him to rightwiseness,
24 but also for us, to whom it shall be areckoned [reckoned], that believe in him that raised our Lord Jesus Christ from death [from dead].
25 Which was betaken for our sins, and rose again for our justifying.
Footnotes
- Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believing into him that justifieth the wicked man, or unpious, his faith is reckoned to rightwiseness
Romans 4
New Matthew Bible
Paul shows by the example of Abraham that faith justifies, and not the law or the works of the law.
4 What shall we say then that Abraham, our father as to the flesh, did find? 2 If Abraham were justified by deeds, then he has wherein to glory, but not with God. 3 For what does the scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. 4 To him who works, the reward is not reckoned from favour, but as his due. 5 To him who does not work, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 It is just as David describes the blessedfulness of the person to whom God ascribes righteousness apart from deeds: 7 Blessed are those whose unrighteousnesses are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is that man to whom the Lord does not impute sin.
9 Did this blessedness come then upon the circumcised, or upon the uncircumcised? We say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How then was it reckoned? In the time of circumcision, or in the time before he was circumcised? Not in the time of circumcision, but when he was yet uncircumcised.
11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that is by faith. This faith he had when still uncircumcised, to the intent that he should be the father of all who believe, though they are not circumcised, so that righteousness may be ascribed to them also; 12 and to the intent that he should be the father of the circumcised, not only because they are circumcised, but because they walk also in the steps of that faith that was in our father Abraham before the time of circumcision.
13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not given to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are the heirs, then faith is but vain, and the promise of no effect. 15 Because the law causes wrath.
But where no law is, there is no transgression. 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. 19 And he fainted not in the faith, nor yet considered his own body (which was now dead inasmuch as he was almost a hundred years old), nor yet that Sarah was past childbearing. 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was made strong in the faith and gave honour to God, 21 fully persuaded that what he had promised, that he was able to make good. 22 And therefore it was reckoned to him for righteousness.
23 It is not written for him only that faith was reckoned to him for righteousness, 24 but also for us, to whom it will be credited as righteousness if we believe on him who raised up Jesus our Lord from death, 25 who was delivered for our sins, and rose up again to justify us.
Romans 4
1599 Geneva Bible
4 1 He proveth that which he said before of faith, by the example of Abraham, 3, 6 and the testimony of the Scripture: and ten times in the Chapter he beateth upon this word, Imputation.
1 What [a]shall we say then, that Abraham our father hath found concerning the [b]flesh?
2 [c]For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath wherein to rejoice, but not with God.
3 [d]For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.
4 [e]Now to him that [f]worketh, the wages is not [g]counted by favor, but by debt:
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth in him that [h]justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 [i]Even as David declareth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying,
7 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not sin.
9 [j]Came this [k]blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say, that faith was imputed unto Abraham for righteousness.
10 [l]How was it then imputed? when he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? not when he was circumcised, but when he was uncircumcised.
11 [m]After, he received the [n]sign of circumcision, as the [o]seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had, when he was uncircumcised, [p]that he should be the father of all them that believe, not being circumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also.
12 [q]And the father of circumcision, not unto them only which are of the circumcision, but unto them also that walk in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had when he was uncircumcised.
13 [r]For the promise that he should be the [s]heir of the world, was not given to Abraham, or to his seed, through the [t]Law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 [u]For if they which are of the [v]Law, be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect.
15 [w]For the Law causeth wrath: for where no Law is, there is no transgression.
16 [x]Therefore it is by faith, that it might come by grace, and the promise might be sure to all the [y]seed, [z]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 [aa]father of many nations) even before [ab]God whom he believed, who [ac]quickeneth the dead, and [ad]calleth those things which be not, as though they were.
18 [ae]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.
19 And he [af]not weak in the faith, considered not his own body, which was now [ag]dead, being almost an hundred years old, neither the deadness of Sarah’s womb.
20 Neither did he doubt of the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in the faith, and gave [ah]glory to God,
21 Being [ai]fully assured that he which had promised, was also able to do it.
22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
23 [aj]Now is it not written for him only, that it was imputed to him for righteousness,
24 But also for us, to whom it shall be imputed for righteousness, which believe in him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,
25 Who was delivered to death for our [ak]sins, and is risen again for our justification.
Footnotes
- Romans 4:1 A new argument of great weight, taken from the example of Abraham the father of all believers: And this is the proposition: if Abraham be considered in himself by his works, he hath deserved nothing wherein to rejoice with God.
- Romans 4:1 By works, as appeareth in the next verse.
- Romans 4:2 A preventing of an objection: Abraham may well rejoice and extol himself amongst men, but not with God.
- Romans 4:3 A confirmation of the proposition: Abraham was justified by imputation of faith, therefore freely without any respect of his works.
- Romans 4:4 The first proof of the confirmation, taken of contraries: to him that deserveth anything by his labor, the wages is not counted by favor, but by debt: but to him that hath done nothing, but believeth in him which promiseth freely, faith is imputed.
- Romans 4:4 To him that hath deserved anything by his work.
- Romans 4:4 Is not reckoned nor given him.
- Romans 4:5 That maketh him which is wicked in himself, just in Christ.
- Romans 4:6 Another proof of the same confirmation: David putteth blessedness in free pardon of sins, therefore justification also.
- Romans 4:9 A new proposition: that this manner of justification belongeth both to uncircumcised, and also to the circumcised, as is declared in the person of Abraham.
- Romans 4:9 This saying of David, wherein he pronounceth them blessed.
- Romans 4:10 He proveth that it belongeth to the uncircumcised (for there was no doubt of the circumcised) in this sort: Abraham was justified in uncircumcision, therefore this justification belongeth also to the uncircumcised. Nay, it does not appertain to the circumcised in respect of the circumcision, much less are the uncircumcised shut out for their uncircumcision.
- Romans 4:11 A preventing of an objection: why then was Abraham circumcised, if he were already justified? That the gift of righteousness (saith he) might be confirmed in him.
- Romans 4:11 Circumcision, which is a sign: as we say, the Sacrament of Baptism, for Baptism which is a Sacrament.
- Romans 4:11 Circumcision was called before a sign, in respect of the outward ceremony: now Paul showeth the force and substance of that sign, that is, to what end it is used, to wit, not only to signify, but also to seal up the righteousness of faith, whereby we come to possess Christ himself: for the holy Ghost worketh that inwardly indeed, which the Sacraments being joined with the word, do represent.
- Romans 4:11 An applying of the example of Abraham to the uncircumcised believers, whose father also he maketh Abraham.
- Romans 4:12 An applying of the same example, to the circumcised believers, whose father Abraham is, but yet by faith.
- Romans 4:13 A reason why the seed of Abraham is to be esteemed by faith, because that Abraham himself through faith was made partaker of that promise, whereby he was made the father of all nations.
- Romans 4:13 That all the nations of the world should be his children: or by the world may be understood the land of Canaan.
- Romans 4:13 For works that he had done, or upon this condition that he should fulfill the Law.
- Romans 4:14 A double confirmation of that reason: the one is, that the promise cannot be apprehended by the Law, and therefore it should be frustrated: the other, that the condition of faith should be joined in vain to that promise which should be apprehended by works.
- Romans 4:14 If they be heirs which have fulfilled the Law.
- Romans 4:15 A reason of the first confirmation, why the promise cannot be apprehended by the Law: because that the Law doth not reconcile God and us, but rather denounceth his anger against us, forsomuch as no man can observe it.
- 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.
- Romans 4:16 To all the believers.
- 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.
- Romans 4:17 This fatherhood is spiritual, depending only upon the virtue of God, who made the promise.
- Romans 4:17 Before God, that is, by a spiritual kindred, which had place before God, and maketh us acceptable to God.
- Romans 4:17 Who restored to life.
- 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.
- 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.
- Romans 4:19 Very strong and constant.
- Romans 4:19 Void of strength, and unmeet to get children.
- Romans 4:20 Acknowledged and praised God, as most gracious and true.
- Romans 4:21 A description of true faith.
- Romans 4:23 The rule of justification is always one, both in Abraham and in all the faithful: that is to say, faith in God, who after that there was made a full satisfaction for our sins in Christ our mediator, raised him from the dead, that we also being justified, might be saved in him.
- Romans 4:25 To pay the ransom for our sins.
Romans 4
Authorized (King James) Version
4 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 and the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 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. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: 20 he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
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