King James Version

What Does Romans 4:16 Mean?

Romans 4:16 in the King James Version says “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 o... — study this verse from Romans chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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,

Romans 4:16 · KJV


Context

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. before him: or, like unto him

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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, Paul states his conclusion: dia touto ek pisteōs (διὰ τοῦτο ἐκ πίστεως, "therefore from faith"), hina kata charin (ἵνα κατὰ χάριν, "in order that according to grace"). Faith and grace are correlative—faith is the receiving mode for the giving mode of grace. The purpose clause emphasizes security: eis to einai bebaian tēn epaggelia (εἰς τὸ εἶναι βεβαίαν τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, "in order that the promise might be certain/firm/sure").

The promise's certainty depends on it being panti tō spermati (παντὶ τῷ σπέρματι, "to all the seed")—both tō ek tou nomou (τῷ ἐκ τοῦ νόμου, "to that from the law," i.e., Jewish believers) and tō ek pisteōs Abraam (τῷ ἐκ πίστεως Ἀβραάμ, "to that from faith of Abraham," i.e., Gentile believers). Abraham is patēr pantōn hēmōn (πατὴρ πάντων ἡμῶν, "father of all of us"). If inheritance depended on law-keeping, no one could be sure of receiving it (since all fail). But by grace through faith, the promise is secured for all who believe, regardless of ethnicity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul's vision of one family of Abraham, encompassing both Jewish and Gentile believers united by faith rather than divided by Torah observance, was revolutionary. This theological foundation undergirds his practical appeals for unity between these groups in Romans 14-15. The certainty of the promise based on grace rather than works provides assurance that transcends ethnic identity and religious performance.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does the promise need to be by grace through faith to be 'sure' to all, and what would make it uncertain?
  2. How does defining Abraham's seed by faith rather than ethnicity or law-keeping expand and transform covenant membership?
  3. What assurance does it give you that your inheritance depends on God's grace received through faith rather than your performance?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 33 words
διὰ1 of 33

Therefore

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τοῦτο2 of 33
G5124

that thing

ἐκ3 of 33

it is of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

πίστεως4 of 33

faith

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

ἵνα5 of 33

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

κατὰ6 of 33

it might be by

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

χάριν7 of 33

grace

G5485

graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart

εἰς8 of 33

to the end

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ9 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

εἶναι10 of 33

might be

G1511

to exist

βεβαίαν11 of 33

sure

G949

stable (literally or figuratively)

τὴν12 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐπαγγελίαν13 of 33

the promise

G1860

an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)

πάντων14 of 33

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τῷ15 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σπέρματι16 of 33

the seed

G4690

something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)

οὐ17 of 33

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

τῷ18 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐκ19 of 33

it is of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ20 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νόμου21 of 33

the law

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

μόνον22 of 33

to that only

G3440

merely

ἀλλὰ23 of 33

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

καὶ24 of 33

to that also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῷ25 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐκ26 of 33

it is of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

πίστεως27 of 33

faith

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

Ἀβραάμ28 of 33

of Abraham

G11

abraham, the hebrew patriarch

ὅς29 of 33

who

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐστιν30 of 33

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

πατὴρ31 of 33

the father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

πάντων32 of 33

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἡμῶν33 of 33

of us

G2257

of (or from) us


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 4:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 4:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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