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Romans 4:14 For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless,
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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad14.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/romans/4-13.htm" title="Romans 4:13">◄</a> Romans 4:14 <a href="/romans/4-15.htm" title="Romans 4:15">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/romans/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/romans/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/romans/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/romans/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/romans/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For if those of <i>the</i> Law <i>are</i> heirs, faith has been made void and the promise made of no effect.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/romans/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For if they which are of the law <i>be</i> heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/romans/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For if those who are of the law <i>are</i> heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/romans/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if those who are of the Law are heirs, then faith is made void and the promise is nullified;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/romans/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/romans/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/romans/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith has been made empty and the promise has been abolished;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/romans/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If those who are [followers] of the Law are [the true] heirs [of Abraham], then faith [leading to salvation] is of no effect <i>and</i> void, and the promise [of God] is nullified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/romans/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise nullified,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/romans/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise is canceled. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/romans/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/romans/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If Abraham and his descendants were given this promise because they had obeyed a law, then faith would mean nothing, and the promise would be worthless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/romans/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/romans/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If those who obey Moses' Teachings are the heirs, then faith is useless and the promise is worthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/romans/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />For if what God promises is to be given to those who obey the Law, then faith means nothing and God's promise is worthless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/romans/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For if those who were given the Law are the heirs, then faith is useless and the promise is worthless, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/romans/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For if they become heirs by the law, faith is empty and the promise is nullified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/romans/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/romans/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For if they who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of no effect.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For if it is the righteous through Law who are heirs, then faith is useless and the promise counts for nothing.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/romans/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/romans/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/romans/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for if they who are of law [are] heirs, faith has been made void, and the promise has been made useless;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For if those of <i>the</i> Law <i>are</i> heirs, faith has been made void and the promise made of no effect.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/romans/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for if they who are of law are heirs, the faith hath been made void, and the promise hath been made useless;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/romans/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For if they of the law, heirs, faith was made void, and the promise left inactive:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/romans/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For if they who are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, the promise is made of no effect. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/romans/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For if those who are of the law are the heirs, then faith becomes empty and the Promise is abolished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/romans/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For if those who adhere to the law are the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/romans/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/romans/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For if they had become heirs by means of the law, then faith would have been empty and the promise made of no effect.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For if these who are of The Written Law were the heirs, faith would have been worthless and The Promise would have been void.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/romans/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For if they that are of the law be heirs, the faith is made powerless, and the promise is unmeaning;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/romans/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />For if the heirs were by the law, faith has been made void, and the promise vitiated.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/romans/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For if they who are of the law are heirs, faith becomes vain, and the promise is useless:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/romans/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />for if they only who are of the law have right of possession, faith is made useless, and the promise becomes of no effect.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For if it is the righteous through Law who are heirs, then faith is useless and the promise counts for nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/romans/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />For, if those <i>who are</i> of <i>the</i> law <i>are</i> heirs, faith has been made void, and the promise has been brought to nought;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/romans/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />for if they <i>only</i> that are of the law be heirs, faith is made useless, and the promise is become of no effect.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/romans/4-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=962" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/romans/4.htm">Abraham Receives the Promise</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13</span>For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">those</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">who live by</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomou (N-GMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">the law</a> <a href="/greek/2818.htm" title="2818: klēronomoi (N-NMP) -- From kleros and the base of nomos (reflexively) getting by apportionment); a sharer by lot, i.e. Inheritor; by implication, a possessor.">are heirs,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4102.htm" title="4102: pistis (N-NFS) -- Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. ">faith</a> <a href="/greek/2758.htm" title="2758: kekenōtai (V-RIM/P-3S) -- (a) I empty, (b) I deprive of content, make unreal. From kenos; to make empty, i.e. to abase, neutralize, falsify.">is useless</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1860.htm" title="1860: epangelia (N-NFS) -- A promise. From epaggello; an announcement.">promise</a> <a href="/greek/2673.htm" title="2673: katērgētai (V-RIM/P-3S) -- From kata and argeo; to be entirely idle, literally or figuratively.">is worthless,</a> </span> <span class="reftext">15</span>because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-18.htm">Galatians 3:18</a></span><br />For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Galatians 3:21-22</a></span><br />Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law. / But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Galatians 3:29</a></span><br />And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-9</a></span><br />For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Hebrews 11:6</a></span><br />And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-27.htm">Romans 3:27-28</a></span><br />Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith. / For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-1.htm">Romans 5:1-2</a></span><br />Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, / through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Galatians 2:16</a></span><br />know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-9.htm">Philippians 3:9</a></span><br />and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/3-5.htm">Titus 3:5-7</a></span><br />He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. / This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, / so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/1-9.htm">2 Timothy 1:9</a></span><br />He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-17.htm">John 1:17</a></span><br />For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-39.htm">Acts 13:39</a></span><br />Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Genesis 15:6</a></span><br />Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/17-4.htm">Genesis 17:4-5</a></span><br />“As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. / No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:</p><p class="hdg">For if.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Romans 4:16</a></b></br> Therefore <i>it is</i> of faith, that <i>it might be</i> 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,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/2-21.htm">Galatians 2:21</a></b></br> I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness <i>come</i> by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/3-18.htm">Galatians 3:18-24</a></b></br> For if the inheritance <i>be</i> of the law, <i>it is</i> no more of promise: but God gave <i>it</i> to Abraham by promise… </p><p class="hdg">made.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/3-31.htm">Romans 3:31</a></b></br> Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/30-12.htm">Numbers 30:12,15</a></b></br> But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard <i>them; then</i> whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-126.htm">Psalm 119:126</a></b></br> <i>It is</i> time for <i>thee</i>, LORD, to work: <i>for</i> they have made void thy law.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/titus/1-10.htm">Adherents</a> <a href="/romans/4-6.htm">Counts</a> <a href="/romans/3-3.htm">Effect</a> <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/acts/3-25.htm">Heirs</a> <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Law</a> <a href="/luke/7-30.htm">Null</a> <a href="/numbers/30-12.htm">Nullified</a> <a href="/romans/3-9.htm">Power</a> <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/romans/4-5.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Use</a> <a href="/romans/3-31.htm">Useless</a> <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/romans/3-1.htm">Value</a> <a href="/romans/3-31.htm">Void</a> <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Word</a> <a href="/romans/3-3.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Adherents</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">Counts</a> <a href="/romans/5-16.htm">Effect</a> <a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/romans/8-17.htm">Heirs</a> <a href="/romans/8-17.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/romans/4-15.htm">Law</a> <a href="/numbers/30-12.htm">Null</a> <a href="/numbers/30-12.htm">Nullified</a> <a href="/romans/4-21.htm">Power</a> <a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/romans/4-17.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/romans/5-17.htm">Use</a> <a href="/romans/6-6.htm">Useless</a> <a href="/romans/13-4.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/romans/12-3.htm">Value</a> <a href="/romans/10-19.htm">Void</a> <a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Word</a> <a href="/romans/9-11.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/4-1.htm">Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/4-10.htm">before he was circumcised.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/4-13.htm">By faith only he and his seed received the promise.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Abraham is the father of all who believe.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/4-24.htm">Our faith also shall be credited to us as righteousness.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/romans/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For if those who live by the law are heirs</b><br>This phrase addresses the Jewish understanding of the law as the means to righteousness and inheritance of God's promises. In the context of Romans, Paul is challenging the belief that adherence to the Mosaic Law is the path to becoming heirs of God's promises. Historically, the Jewish people were given the law at Mount Sinai, which became central to their identity and relationship with God. However, Paul argues that if inheritance were based solely on the law, it would exclude the necessity of faith. This connects to <a href="/galatians/3-18.htm">Galatians 3:18</a>, where Paul states that the inheritance comes by promise, not by law.<p><b>faith is useless</b><br>Here, Paul emphasizes the futility of faith if the law is the means to inheritance. Faith, in the biblical sense, is trust and reliance on God and His promises. If the law could secure the promises, then faith would have no role or purpose. This reflects the broader biblical narrative that faith has always been the means by which people are justified before God, as seen in the example of Abraham in <a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Genesis 15:6</a>, where he believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.<p><b>and the promise is worthless</b><br>The promise refers to God's covenantal promises, particularly those made to Abraham regarding his descendants and the blessing to all nations. If the law were the means to obtain these promises, then the promise itself would be nullified, as it would depend on human effort rather than God's grace. This ties into the theme of grace versus works, a central tenet in Paul's letters, and is echoed in <a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-9</a>, which states that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works. The promise being worthless would contradict the nature of God's unchanging and faithful character, as seen throughout Scripture.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the Book of Romans, Paul is addressing the church in Rome, emphasizing the doctrine of justification by faith.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>Central to Paul's argument in <a href="/bsb/romans/4.htm">Romans 4</a>, Abraham is presented as the exemplar of faith, being justified by faith before the law was given.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a></b><br>Refers to the Mosaic Law given to Israel, which Paul argues cannot be the basis for inheriting God's promises.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_promise.htm">The Promise</a></b><br>God's promise to Abraham and his descendants, which is received through faith, not by adherence to the law.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_roman_church.htm">The Roman Church</a></b><br>The original audience of the letter, consisting of both Jewish and Gentile believers, who needed clarification on the role of the law and faith.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_over_law.htm">Faith Over Law</a></b><br>Emphasize that faith, not adherence to the law, is the means by which we receive God's promises. This underscores the sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_law.htm">The Role of the Law</a></b><br>Understand that the law serves to reveal sin and our need for a Savior, but it is not the means of salvation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_assurance_of_the_promise.htm">The Assurance of the Promise</a></b><br>Believers can have confidence in God's promises because they are based on His faithfulness, not our ability to keep the law.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_the_body_of_christ.htm">Unity in the Body of Christ</a></b><br>Recognize that both Jews and Gentiles are heirs of the promise through faith, promoting unity within the church.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_by_faith.htm">Living by Faith</a></b><br>Encourage believers to live by faith daily, trusting in God's promises and His provision, rather than relying on their own efforts.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_1_cor_9_9_and_9_21_align.htm">In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul appeals to the Old Testament law (v.9) yet speaks of being under 'Christ's law' (v.21); how can skeptics be convinced there is no conflict between these two references?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_religious_science.htm">What is Religious Science?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_romans_4_16_unite_faith,_grace,_law.htm">In Romans 4:16, how can Paul unite faith, grace, and law under Abraham's example without dismissing the importance of the Mosaic Law elsewhere in Scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/romans_14_5_vs._ot_sabbath_mandates.htm">Romans 14:5 - How does allowing each person to decide which day is sacred align with Old Testament mandates on the Sabbath?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14-17) This Messianic kingdom cannot have anything to do with law; for if it had, faith and the promise would cease to have any office. Faith and law cannot co-exist. They are the opposites of each other. The proper effect of law is punishment; for law only exposes sin. Faith, on the other hand, is the real key to the inheritance. It sets in motion grace; and grace, unlike law, excludes no one. It is open alike to the legal and to the spiritual descendants of Abraham; in other words (as the Scripture itself testifies), to all mankind, as the representative of whom Abraham stands before God.<p>(14) <span class= "bld">Is made void.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">emptied</span> of its meaning, becomes an empty name, and the promise is rendered nugatory. There is nothing left for either to do, if the votaries of law, simply as such, are to be the inheritors of the Messianic kingdom.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/romans/4-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="grk">γὰρ</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰ</span> <span class="translit">(ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">those</span><br /><span class="grk">οἱ</span> <span class="translit">(hoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[who live by]</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐκ</span> <span class="translit">(ek)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> </span><span class="str2">From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] Law</span><br /><span class="grk">νόμου</span> <span class="translit">(nomou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[are] heirs,</span><br /><span class="grk">κληρονόμοι</span> <span class="translit">(klēronomoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2818.htm">Strong's 2818: </a> </span><span class="str2">From kleros and the base of nomos (reflexively) getting by apportionment); a sharer by lot, i.e. Inheritor; by implication, a possessor.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">faith</span><br /><span class="grk">πίστις</span> <span class="translit">(pistis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4102.htm">Strong's 4102: </a> </span><span class="str2">Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">is useless</span><br /><span class="grk">κεκένωται</span> <span class="translit">(kekenōtai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2758.htm">Strong's 2758: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I empty, (b) I deprive of content, make unreal. From kenos; to make empty, i.e. to abase, neutralize, falsify.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡ</span> <span class="translit">(hē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">promise</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπαγγελία</span> <span class="translit">(epangelia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1860.htm">Strong's 1860: </a> </span><span class="str2">A promise. From epaggello; an announcement.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is worthless,</span><br /><span class="grk">κατήργηται</span> <span class="translit">(katērgētai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2673.htm">Strong's 2673: </a> </span><span class="str2">From kata and argeo; to be entirely idle, literally or figuratively.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/4-14.htm">Romans 4:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/romans/4-14.htm">Romans 4:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/romans/4-14.htm">Romans 4:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/romans/4-14.htm">Romans 4:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/romans/4-14.htm">Romans 4:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/4-14.htm">Romans 4:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/4-14.htm">Romans 4:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/4-14.htm">Romans 4:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/romans/4-14.htm">Romans 4:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/romans/4-14.htm">Romans 4:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/romans/4-14.htm">NT Letters: Romans 4:14 For if those who are (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/4-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 4:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 4:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/4-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 4:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 4:15" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>