16 This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace,(A) to guarantee it to all the descendants(B)—not only to those who are of the law[a] but also to those who are of Abraham’s faith. He is the father of us all 17 in God’s sight. As it is written: I have made you the father of many nations.(C)[b] He believed in God, who gives life to the dead(D) and calls(E) things into existence that do not exist.(F) 18 He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations(G)[c] according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be.(H)[d]

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:16 Or not to those who are of the law only
  2. Romans 4:17 Gn 17:5
  3. Romans 4:18 Gn 17:5
  4. Romans 4:18 Gn 15:5

16 Because of this, it is by faith, in order that it may be according to grace, so that the promise may be secure to all the descendants, not only to those of the law, but also to those of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (just as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”)[a] before God, in whom he believed, the one who makes the dead alive and who calls the things that are not as though they are, 18 who against hope believed in hope, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was said, “so will your descendants be.”[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:17 A quotation from Gen 17:5
  2. Romans 4:18 A quotation from Gen 15:5