Scripture:

Scroll to:

Romans 4

6 of 25

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

ROMANS 4:1

7 of 25

For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

ROMANS 4:2

8 of 25

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

ROMANS 4:3

9 of 25

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

ROMANS 4:4

10 of 25

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

ROMANS 4:5

11 of 25

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

ROMANS 4:6

12 of 25

Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

ROMANS 4:7

13 of 25

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

ROMANS 4:8

14 of 25

Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

ROMANS 4:9

15 of 25

How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

ROMANS 4:10

16 of 25

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:

ROMANS 4:11

17 of 25

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.

ROMANS 4:12

18 of 25

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.

ROMANS 4:13

19 of 25

For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

ROMANS 4:14

20 of 25

Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

ROMANS 4:15

21 of 25

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

22 of 25

(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.

ROMANS 4:17

23 of 25

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.

ROMANS 4:18

24 of 25

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 Sarah's womb:

ROMANS 4:19

25 of 25

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

ROMANS 4:20

26 of 25

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

ROMANS 4:21

27 of 25

And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

ROMANS 4:22

28 of 25

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

ROMANS 4:23

29 of 25

But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

ROMANS 4:24

30 of 25

Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

ROMANS 4:25

Chapter:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Romans 4
CHURCH FATHERS: 17

1. Clement of Rome | CHURCH FATHER 97 AD

W Pope_Clement_I

Romans was APPROVED (75%) by Clement of Rome
(Citation; approving quotation; alluded to; acceptable with changes)

2. Ignatius of Antioch | CHURCH FATHER 110 AD

W Ignatius_of_Antioch

Romans was REJECTED (0%) by Ignatius of Antioch
(No mention; no quotes; opinion unknown)

3. Barnabas | CHURCH FATHER 130 AD

W Barnabas

Romans was REJECTED (0%) by Barnabas
(No mention; no quotes; opinion unknown)

4. Hermas | CHURCH FATHER 140 AD

W Hermas_(freedman)

Romans was REJECTED (0%) by Hermas
(No mention; no quotes; opinion unknown)

5. Papias of Hierapolis | CHURCH FATHER 140 AD

W Papias_of_Hierapolis

Romans was REJECTED (0%) by Papias of Hierapolis
(No mention; no quotes; opinion unknown)

6. Polycarp | CHURCH FATHER 150 AD

W Polycarp

Romans was APPROVED (75%) by Polycarp
(Citation; approving quotation; alluded to; acceptable with changes)

7. Didache | CHURCH FATHER 150 AD

W Didache

Romans was APPROVED (75%) by Didache
(Citation; approving quotation; alluded to; acceptable with changes)

8. Diognetus | CHURCH FATHER 150 AD

W Epistle_to_Diognetus

Romans was REJECTED (0%) by Diognetus
(No mention; no quotes; opinion unknown)

9. Justin Martyr | CHURCH FATHER 155 AD

W Justin_Martyr

Romans was APPROVED (75%) by Justin Martyr
(Citation; approving quotation; alluded to; acceptable with changes)

10. Irenaeous | CHURCH FATHER 202 AD

W Irenaeus

Romans was FULLY ACCEPTED (100%) by Irenaeous
(Fully accepted; true scripture; quoted approvingly)

11. Clement of Alexandria | CHURCH FATHER 215 AD

W Clement_of_Alexandria

Romans was FULLY ACCEPTED (100%) by Clement of Alexandria
(Fully accepted; true scripture; quoted approvingly)

12. Tertullian | CHURCH FATHER 220 AD

W Tertullian

Romans was APPROVED (75%) by Tertullian
(Citation; approving quotation; alluded to; acceptable with changes)

13. Origen | CHURCH FATHER 254 AD

W Origen

Romans was APPROVED (75%) by Origen
(Citation; approving quotation; alluded to; acceptable with changes)

14. Eusebius of Caesarea | CHURCH FATHER 340 AD

W Eusebius

Romans was FULLY ACCEPTED (100%) by Eusebius of Caesarea
(Fully accepted; true scripture; quoted approvingly)

15. Athanasius of Alexandria | CHURCH FATHER 367 AD

W Athanasius_of_Alexandria

Romans was FULLY ACCEPTED (100%) by Athanasius of Alexandria
(Fully accepted; true scripture; quoted approvingly)

16. Cyril of Jerusalem | CHURCH FATHER 386 AD

W Cyril_of_Jerusalem

Romans was FULLY ACCEPTED (100%) by Cyril of Jerusalem
(Fully accepted; true scripture; quoted approvingly)

17. Augustine of Hippo | CHURCH FATHER 400 AD

W Augustine of Hippo

Romans was FULLY ACCEPTED (100%) by Augustine of Hippo
(Fully accepted; true scripture; quoted approvingly)

Romans 4
BIBLE CANON: 5

A biblical canon is a set of texts (or "books") which a particular religious community regards as authoritative scripture. Christians were the first to use the term in reference to scripture.

These bible canons have developed through debate and agreement by the religious authorities.

W Biblical_canon

1. Marcion Canon | BIBLE CANON 140 AD
Marcionism was a religious movement based on the teachings of the 2nd-century Marcion of Sinope. Marcions Canon lists 14 books out of the 27 books in the New Testament. More specifically, these were Luke and Paul's 13 writings. Marcion even rejected the entire Old Testament of 39 books.

bible.ca/marcion

W Marcion_of_Sinope

Romans was FULLY ACCEPTED (100%) by Marcion Canon
(Fully accepted; true scripture; quoted approvingly)

2. Muratorian Canon | BIBLE CANON 170 AD
The Muratorian Canon is an ancient list of New Testament books - the oldest such list we have found and lists 22 of the 27 books that were later included in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.

It is noteworthy that the Muratorian Canon omits several epistles that later did win acceptance in the Christian New Testament such as the books of James and 2 Peter.

gotquestions.org/muratorian

W Muratorian_fragment

Romans was FULLY ACCEPTED (100%) by Muratorian Canon
(Fully accepted; true scripture; quoted approvingly)

3. Apostolic Canon | BIBLE CANON 300 AD
Apostolic Canons or Ecclesiastical Canons

W Canons_of_the_Apostles

Romans was FULLY ACCEPTED (100%) by Apostolic Canon
(Fully accepted; true scripture; quoted approvingly)

4. Cheltenham/ Mommsen List | BIBLE CANON 360 AD
The Cheltenham or Mommsen List is a Latin manuscript discovered by the German classical scholar Theodor Mommsen (published 1886) which probably originated in North Africa in the 4th century.

It has 24-book Old Testament and 24-book New Testament which omits Jude and James, and perhaps Hebrews, and questions the epistles of John and Peter.

bible-researcher.com/cheltenham

W Theodor_Mommsen

Romans was FULLY ACCEPTED (100%) by Cheltenham/ Mommsen List
(Fully accepted; true scripture; quoted approvingly)

5. Council of Rome | BIBLE CANON 382 AD
The Council of Rome was a meeting of Catholic Church officials and theologians which took place in 382 under the authority of Pope Damasus I, bishop of Rome.

According to a document appended to some manuscripts, the Council of Rome affirmed the authority of the Old and New Testament canon in a decretal or damasine list.

W Council_of_Rome

Romans was FULLY ACCEPTED (100%) by Council of Rome
(Fully accepted; true scripture; quoted approvingly)

Romans 4
TEXTUAL CRITICISM

Was Paul the Author? Evidence
Today, it is assumed Paul is the author. However, it is known that Paul extensively used Scribes ('Amanuensis') to write his letters. Paul dictated his thoughts and the Scribe wrote the letter as they saw fit. Therefore, most of Paul's Epistles (letters) in the New Testament Bible are authored by unknown Scribes.

Paul had a troubling 'Thorn' Evidence
In his Corinthians letter, Paul speaks of a 'Thorn In My Flesh' troubling him. Bible scholars have 4 theories on the 'thorn':

Physical Sickness

Mental Illness

Spiritual Problem

Ministerial Opposition

2CORINTHIANS 12:7

brianchilton/thorn

blueletter/thorn

Paul had poor Eye-Sight Evidence
It is known that Paul used Scribes ('Amanuensis') to write his letters as he suffered from poor eye-sight and was unable to write. According to early sources, Paul was 'a short, bony, little Jew with constant running eyes from his eye problems, squinting with a very large angular nose'.

studylight/commentaries

See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand [Paul's eyesight was defective and he needed help to write]

GALATIANS 6:11

As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

GALATIANS 4:13-15

Paul replied, Brothers, I did not know [due to bad eye-sight] that he was the high priest; for it is written: 'Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.'

ACTS 23:5

Church was aware of Paul's Eye-Sight problem Evidence
In Galatians, Paul confirms the Galatian Church was aware of his eye-sight problem. So much so, they would have 'plucked out their own eyes and given them to him' were it possible.

Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

GALATIANS 4:15

Paul used Scribes to write his Epistles (Letters) Evidence
Paul composed his letters in accordance with the writing conventions of his time. Scribes were essential as the skills required for writing with primitive pens and paper made writing legibly a challenge.

Tertius was one Roman Scribe ('Amanuensis') who wrote on behalf of Paul. Tertius wrote Paul's Epistles (letters), either from notes, ideas or direct from Paul's mouth. At the end of the Epistle (letter), Paul would conclude with personal greetings in his own writing. [John Gill's commentary]

Timothy is present as Paul and Tertius write Romans. Did Timothy have any influence over the final text? If so, what was that influence? Was any text in Romans written by Timothy?

trivialdevotion/tertius

I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord's followers

ROMANS 16:22

Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

COLOSSIANS 4:18

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

2THESSALONIANS 3:17

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.

1CORINTHIANS 16:21

Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.

ROMANS 16:21

Paul's Letter, Romans is forged and interpolated Bible Scholars
'Interpolation' is where a Word, Verse, Passage or even entire Chapter was added to Paul's Letter, often many years after Paul had written, disseminated it or died. Bible Scholars who hold the view that Paul's Letter is interpolated include:

1:3-4 Loisy (1935: 9).
1:18-32, parts by Michelsen (1876); Couchoud (1926); Harrison (1936:298f.); Carrington (1939); Hawkins (1941); O'Neill (1975: 40-45, continues until Rom. 2:29); Munro (1983: 112f).
2:1, Bultmann (1947); Schmithals (1975, marginal note).
2:13, Schmithals (1975, marginal note).
2:14f., Weiss sees as a gloss.
2:15b-16, Sahlin (1953).
2:16, Bultmann (1947); Schmithals (1975, marginal note); Koester.
3:9-20, Hawkins (1941).
3:10-18, Weisse (1833); Pierson and Naber (1886); Michelsen (1887); van Manen (1880); Schenke and Fischer (1978: 142f.); O'Neill (1975, vv. 12-18).
3:23-26, Hawkins (1941).
3:24/25-26, Talbert (1966).
4:1 and 4:17b, Schenke and Fischer (1978: 144) make the complicated suggestion that 4:17b really belongs at the end of 4:1. Weisse omits4:1.
5:1, Schmithals (1975, probably redactional).
5:5-10, Sahlin (1953) accepts in order 5, 8, 6, 9, 10; Schenke and Fischer (1978: 144) agree.
5:6-7, Keck (1979: 237-38); Schmithals (1975, marginal note).
5:7 Semler (1810) thinks added later.
5:12-21, Barnes (1947: 239); O'Neill (1975: 96-107).
6:17b, Bultmann (1947); Schmithals (1975, marginal note).
7:25b, Bultmann; Schmithals (1975, marginal note).
8:1. Weisse omits; Bultmann (1947); Schmithals (1975, marginal note).
10:17, Bultmann (1947); Schmithals (1975, marginal note).
13:1-7, Pallis (1920); Loisy (1922: 104, 128; 1935: 30-31; 1936: 287); Windisch (1931); cf. Barnikol (1931b); Eggenberger (1945); Barnes (1947: 302, possibly); Kallas (1964-65); Munro (1983: 56f., 65-67); Sahlin (1953); Bultmann (1947).
15 and 16 together, Baur (1836b; 1849; 1845); Schwegler (1846: I, 296); Zeller (1854: 488); Volkmar (1856; 1875: xvff., 129ff.); Lucht (1871); Ryder (1898); Smith (1901); Scholten (1876); Davidson (1882: 125-28; 1894: 126-31).
15:4b, Schmithals (1975, redactional).
16 as a whole, Weiss (1872); Hawkins (1941); Knox (1954); Friedrich (1961).
16:17-20, Volkmar (1875); Pfleiderer (1887: 145).
16:17-18, Loisy (1935: 29).
16:24, Cranfield; Mangold (1884).
16:25-27, Reiche (1833); Krehl (1845); Delitzsch (1849); Davidson (1868:134-37; 1882:118-21; 1894:120-23); Lucht (1871); Hilgenfeld (1872: 469ff.; 1875:326f.); Pfleiderer (1873: 314); Seyerlen (1874); Volkmar (1875); Schultz (1876); Mangold (1884: 44-81); Bruckner; Lipsius; von Weizsacker (1886: 334); Ji.ilicher (1894: 71); Corssen (1909: 1-45); Lake (1914: 359f.); Wendland (1912: 351); Weiss (1917: 534); Burton (1921: 509); Loisy(1922: 106, 134); Harnack (1931); Barnikol (1931a; 1933:116-48); Dodd (1932: 245); Manson (1948); Gaugler (1945); Zuntz (1953); Michel (1955: 19f.); Barrett (1958: 10-13, 286); Friedrich in RGG3 V, 1138; Beare (1962b: 112f.); Marxsen (1964); Fuller (1966: 56); Fitzmyer in Brown, Fitzmyer and Murphy (eds) (1990: 292); Bornkamm (1969); Lohse (1972); Kasemann (1973); Cranfield (1975:6-9); Schmithals (1975); Vielhauer (1975: 187f.); Gamble (1977: 107-10, 123f.); Schenke and Fischer (1978: I, 136f.); Elliot (1981); Dunn (1988: 912f.); Ziesler (1989: 25); Donfried (1970); Kamiah (1956).

vridar/list-of-scholars-believing-pauls-letters-we..

Romans 4
VIDEO: 18