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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, has discovered?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/4-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/45_Rom_04_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 4:1 - Abraham Justified by Faith" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, has discovered?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/romans/4-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/romans/4-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/romans/">Romans</a> > <a href="/romans/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.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/3-31.htm" title="Romans 3:31">◄</a> Romans 4:1 <a href="/romans/4-2.htm" title="Romans 4:2">►</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 />What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/romans/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/romans/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/romans/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has discovered?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />What then shall we say Abraham our father discovered according to <i>the</i> flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/romans/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/romans/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/romans/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/romans/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/romans/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/romans/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/romans/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather humanly speaking, has found? [Has he obtained a favored standing?]<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/romans/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/romans/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What then can we say that Abraham, our physical ancestor, has found? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/romans/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, hath found according to the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/romans/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Well then, what can we say about our ancestor Abraham? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/romans/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, hath found?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/romans/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />What can we say that we have discovered about our ancestor Abraham?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/romans/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />What shall we say, then, of Abraham, the father of our race? What was his experience? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/romans/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />What, then, are we to say about Abraham, our human ancestor? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/romans/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has discovered?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/romans/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, has discovered regarding this matter?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/romans/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/romans/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />What shall we then say that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />What then shall we say that Abraham, our earthly forefather, has gained?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/romans/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/romans/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />What, then, will we say Abraham our father to have found, according to flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />What then shall we say Abraham our father discovered according to <i>the</i> flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/romans/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> What, then, shall we say Abraham our father, to have found, according to flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/romans/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />What then shall we say Abraham our father to have found, according to the flesh?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/romans/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />WHAT shall we say then that Abraham hath found, who is our father according to the flesh. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/romans/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />So then, what shall we say that Abraham had achieved, who is our father according to the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/romans/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />What then can we say that Abraham found, our ancestor according to the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/romans/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/romans/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />WHAT then shall we say concerning Abraham, the chief of our forefathers, who lived according to the flesh before God called him?<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 />What therefore do we say about Abraham, the chief of our forefathers, that he found in the flesh?<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/romans/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />What, then, shall we say that Abraham our father has found, as it respects the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/romans/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Then what shall we say that Abraham, our father according to the flesh, has found?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/romans/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />WHAT then shall we say that Abraham our father hath obtained by the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/romans/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />How then can we assert, "that Abraham our father obtained this from circumcision?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />What then shall we say that Abraham, our earthly forefather, has gained?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/romans/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />What, then, shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/romans/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />What shall we say then that Abraham our father obtained according to the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/romans/4-1.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=833" 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 Justified by Faith</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">What</a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">then</a> <a href="/greek/2046.htm" title="2046: eroumen (V-FIA-1P) -- Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.">shall we say</a> <a href="/greek/11.htm" title="11: Abraam (N-AMS) -- Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.">that Abraham,</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">our</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)."></a> <a href="/greek/4561.htm" title="4561: sarka (N-AFS) -- Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. "></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: propatora (N-AMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">forefather,</a> <a href="/greek/2147.htm" title="2147: heurēkenai (V-RNA) -- A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.">has discovered?</a> </span> <span class="reftext">2</span>If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God.…<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="/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="/galatians/3-6.htm">Galatians 3:6-9</a></span><br />So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” / Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. / The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-21.htm">James 2:21-23</a></span><br />Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? / You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did. / And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-8.htm">Hebrews 11:8-12</a></span><br />By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. / By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”<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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-16.htm">Galatians 3:16</a></span><br />The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/6-13.htm">Hebrews 6:13-15</a></span><br />When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself, / saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.” / And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/22-15.htm">Genesis 22:15-18</a></span><br />And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time, / saying, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, / I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39</a></span><br />“Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-1.htm">Isaiah 51:1-2</a></span><br />“Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut, and to the quarry from which you were hewn. / Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-8.htm">Luke 3:8</a></span><br />Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9</a></span><br />And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22-31</a></span><br />For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise. / These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/18-18.htm">Genesis 18:18</a></span><br />Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, has found?</p><p class="hdg">what.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/6-1.htm">Romans 6:1</a></b></br> What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Romans 7:7</a></b></br> What shall we say then? <i>Is</i> the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31</a></b></br> What shall we then say to these things? If God <i>be</i> for us, who <i>can be</i> against us?</p><p class="hdg">Abraham.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/51-2.htm">Isaiah 51:2</a></b></br> Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah <i>that</i> bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9</a></b></br> And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to <i>our</i> father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/3-8.htm">Luke 3:8</a></b></br> Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to <i>our</i> father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.</p><p class="hdg">as pertaining.</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="/hebrews/12-9.htm">Hebrews 12:9</a></b></br> Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected <i>us</i>, and we gave <i>them</i> reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/13-26.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/acts/28-1.htm">Discovered</a> <a href="/acts/20-24.htm">Earthly</a> <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/acts/17-26.htm">Forefather</a> <a href="/romans/3-24.htm">Found</a> <a href="/acts/27-21.htm">Gained</a> <a href="/romans/2-29.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/acts/1-3.htm">Pertaining</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/4-2.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-15.htm">Discovered</a> <a href="/romans/7-5.htm">Earthly</a> <a href="/romans/6-19.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Forefather</a> <a href="/romans/4-20.htm">Found</a> <a href="/romans/5-2.htm">Gained</a> <a href="/romans/11-7.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/romans/15-17.htm">Pertaining</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <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>What then shall we say</b><br>This phrase introduces a rhetorical question, a common technique used by Paul to engage his audience and provoke thought. It suggests a continuation of a previous argument, inviting readers to consider the implications of what has been discussed. In the context of Romans, Paul is addressing the relationship between faith and works, particularly in the context of justification.<p><b>that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh,</b><br>Abraham is a central figure in Jewish history, regarded as the patriarch of the Israelites. By referring to him as "our forefather according to the flesh," Paul acknowledges the physical lineage and heritage of the Jewish people. Abraham's significance is not only genealogical but also theological, as he is a model of faith. In <a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12-25</a>, Abraham's life and covenant with God are detailed, establishing him as a foundational figure in the narrative of God's people. His faith and obedience are pivotal in understanding the concept of righteousness apart from the Law.<p><b>has discovered?</b><br>This phrase suggests an inquiry into what Abraham learned or experienced regarding faith and righteousness. The discovery here is not merely intellectual but experiential, as Abraham's life exemplifies the principle of being justified by faith. <a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Genesis 15:6</a> states, "Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness." This discovery is crucial for Paul's argument that righteousness comes through faith, not works, and it prefigures the New Testament revelation of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Abraham's experience serves as a type of the believer's journey, highlighting the continuity of God's plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>Known as the patriarch of the Israelites, Abraham is a central figure in the Bible. He is often referred to as the "father of faith" because of his unwavering belief in God's promises. In <a href="/romans/4.htm">Romans 4:1</a>, Paul uses Abraham as an example to illustrate the principle of justification by faith.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a></b><br>The apostle Paul is the author of the Book of Romans. He was a key figure in the early Christian church and wrote many of the New Testament letters. In Romans, Paul addresses both Jewish and Gentile believers, explaining the righteousness that comes from faith.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/romans.htm">Romans</a></b><br>The Book of Romans is a letter written by Paul to the Christian community in Rome. It is one of the most theological books in the New Testament, dealing with themes such as sin, salvation, and the righteousness of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/j/justification_by_faith.htm">Justification by Faith</a></b><br>Abraham's example shows that justification comes through faith, not by works or adherence to the law. This principle is foundational to Christian doctrine and emphasizes the grace of God in salvation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_as_a_legacy.htm">Faith as a Legacy</a></b><br>Abraham is referred to as the "forefather according to the flesh," but his true legacy is his faith. Believers today are called to follow in his footsteps, living lives marked by faith and trust in God's promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_universality_of_the_gospel.htm">The Universality of the Gospel</a></b><br>By using Abraham, who predates the Mosaic Law, Paul demonstrates that the gospel is for all people, both Jews and Gentiles. Faith, not ethnicity or law, is the key to being part of God's family.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_scripture_in_understanding_faith.htm">The Role of Scripture in Understanding Faith</a></b><br>Paul's argument is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, showing the importance of Scripture in understanding and applying the principles of faith and righteousness.<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/what_is_'justification_by_faith'.htm">What does "justification by faith" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/should_we_do_good_to_everyone.htm">What does 'From Faith to Faith' signify?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_the_patriarchs_in_the_bible.htm">Who are the patriarchs in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_abraham_jewish_or_gentile.htm">Was Abraham considered Jewish or Gentile?</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><span class= "bld">IV.</span><p>(1-25) The subject of the chapter is an application of the foregoing to the special (and crucial) case of Abraham, with particular reference to two ideas that are continually recurring throughout the last chapter: (1) the supposed superiority of Jew to Gentile (and, <span class= "ital">a fortiori,</span> of the great progenitor of the Jews); (2) the idea of boasting or glorying based upon this superiority. Following out this the Apostle shows how even Abraham's case tells, not against, but for the doctrine of justification by faith. Indeed, Abraham himself came under it. And not only so, but those who act upon this doctrine are spiritually descendants of Abraham. It is entirely a mistake to suppose that they of the circumcision only are Abraham's seed. The true seed of Abraham are those who follow his example of faith. He put faith in the promise, they must put their faith in the fulfilment of the promise.<p>(1) To come back to the question of <a href="/romans/3-1.htm" title="What advantage then has the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?">Romans 3:1</a>, repeated in <a href="/romans/3-9.htm" title="What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;">Romans 3:9</a>, in what did the superiority of Abraham, the great representative of the Jewish race, really consist?<p><span class= "bld">As pertaining to the flesh.</span>--The construction of these words appears to be determined by their position in the sentence. According to the best MSS. they are distinctly separated from "hath found" and joined with "our father." They would therefore mean simply "our father according to the flesh," <span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> by natural descent, as in <a href="/romans/1-3.htm" title="Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;">Romans 1:3</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Hath found.</span>--<span class= "ital">Hath got,</span> or <span class= "ital">gained,</span> by way of advantage.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-25.</span> - (5) <span class="accented">Abraham himself shown to have been justified by faith, and not by works, believers being his true heirs.</span> The main points of the argument may be summarized thus: When Abraham obtained a blessing to himself and to his seed for ever, it was by faith, and not by works, that he is declared to have been justified so as to obtain it. Thus the promise to his seed, as well as to himself, rested on the principle of justification by faith only. The Law, of which the principle was essentially different, could not, and did not, in itself fulfil that promise; and that its fulfilment was not dependent on circumcision, or confined to the circumcised, is further shown by the fact that it was before his own circumcision that he received the blessing and the promise, Hence the seed intended in the promise was his spiritual seed, who are of faith such as his was; and in Christ, offering justification through faith to all, the promise is now fulfilled. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">What then shall we say that Abraham our father according to the flesh hath found?</span> The connection, denoted by <span class="greek">οῦν</span>, with the preceding argument is rather with vers. 27, 28 of ch. 3, than with its concluding words, <span class="greek">νόμον ἱστάνομεν</span>. This appears, not only from the drift of ch. 4, but also from the word <span class="greek">καύχημα</span> in ver. 2, connecting the thought with <span class="greek">ποῦ οῦν ἡ</span> <span class="greek">καύχησις</span>; in <a href="/romans/3-27.htm">Romans 3:27</a>. The line of thought is, in the first place, this: We have said that all human glorying is shut out, and that no man can be justified except by faith: how, then (it is important to inquire), was it with Abraham our great progenitor? Did not he at least earn the blessing to his seed by the merit of his works? Had not he, on that ground, whereof to glory? No, not even he. Scripture, in what it says of him, distinctly asserts the contrary. There is uncertainty in this verse as to whether "according to the flesh" (<span class="greek">κατὰ σάρκα</span>) is to be connected with "our father" or with "hath found." Readings vary in their arrangement of the words. The Textus Receptus has <span class="greek">Τί οῦν ἐροῦμεν Αβραὰμ</span> <span class="greek">τὸν πατέρα ἡμῶν εὐρηκέναι κατὰ σάρκα</span>. But the great preponderance of authority is in favour of <span class="greek">εὐρηκέναι Ἀβραὰμ τὸν προπάτορα</span> <span class="greek">ἡμῶν κατὰ σάρκα</span>. The first of these readings requires the connection of <span class="greek">κατὰ σάρκα</span> with <span class="greek">εὐρηκέναι</span>; the second allows it, but suggests the other connection. Theodoret, among the ancients, connecting with <span class="greek">εὐρηκέναι</span>, explains <span class="greek">κατὰ σάρκα</span> thus: "What righteousness, of Abraham's, wrought <span class="accented">before he believed God</span>, did we ever hear of?" Calvin suggests, as the meaning of the phrase (though himself inclining to the connection with <span class="greek">προπάτορα</span>)<span class="accented"></span>," naturaliter vel ex seipso." Bull, similarly ('Harmonic Apostolica,' 'Disputatio Posterior,' c. 12:14-17), "by his natural powers, without the grace of God." Alford, following Meyer, says that <span class="greek">κατὰ σάρκα</span> is in contrast to <span class="greek">κατὰ πνεύμα</span>, and that it "refers to that department of our being from which spring works, in contrast with that in which is the exercise of faith." Difficulty is avoided if (as is the most natural inference from the best authenticated reading) we take <span class="greek">κατὰ σάρκα</span> in connection with <span class="greek">πάτερα</span> or <span class="greek">προπάτορα</span>, in the sense of our forefather in the way of natural descent, the question being put from the Jewish standpoint; and this in distinction from the other conception of descent from Abraham, according to which all the faithful are called his children (cl. <a href="/romans/1-3.htm">Romans 1:3</a>; <a href="/romans/9-3.htm">Romans 9:3, 5, 8</a>:<a href="/1_corinthians/10-18.htm">1 Corinthians 10:18</a>). Among the ancients Chrysostom and Theophylact take this view. For the import of <span class="greek">εὐρηκέναι</span>, cf. <a href="/luke/1-30.htm">Luke 1:30</a> (<span class="greek">εϋρες χάριν παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ</span>) and <a href="/hebrews/9-12.htm">Hebrews 9:12</a> (<span class="greek">αἰωνίαν λύτρωσιν εὑράμενος᾿.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/romans/4-1.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">What</span><br /><span class="grk">Τί</span> <span class="translit">(Ti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">then</span><br /><span class="grk">οὖν</span> <span class="translit">(oun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> </span><span class="str2">Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shall we say</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐροῦμεν</span> <span class="translit">(eroumen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2046.htm">Strong's 2046: </a> </span><span class="str2">Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[that] Abraham,</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἀβραὰμ</span> <span class="translit">(Abraam)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_11.htm">Strong's 11: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡμῶν</span> <span class="translit">(hēmōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">forefather,</span><br /><span class="grk">προπάτορα</span> <span class="translit">(propatora)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has discovered?</span><br /><span class="grk">εὑρηκέναι</span> <span class="translit">(heurēkenai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2147.htm">Strong's 2147: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/4-1.htm">Romans 4:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/romans/4-1.htm">Romans 4:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/romans/4-1.htm">Romans 4:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/romans/4-1.htm">Romans 4:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/romans/4-1.htm">Romans 4:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/4-1.htm">Romans 4:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/4-1.htm">Romans 4:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/4-1.htm">Romans 4:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/romans/4-1.htm">Romans 4:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/romans/4-1.htm">Romans 4:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/romans/4-1.htm">NT Letters: Romans 4:1 What then will we say that Abraham (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/3-31.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 3:31"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 3:31" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/4-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 4:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 4:2" /></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>