ROM 4:16 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. Διά
2. dia
3. Because of
4. 37\x*Because
5. 12230
6. P·······
7. because_of
8. because_of
9. PS
10. Y60
11. 106886
1. τοῦτο
2. houtos
3. this is
4. -
5. 37780
6. R····ANS
7. this ‹is›
8. this ‹is›
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106887
1. ἐκ
2. ek
3. of
4. -
5. 15370
6. P·······
7. of
8. of
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106888
1. πίστεως
2. pistis
3. faith
4. -
5. 41020
6. N····GFS
7. faith
8. faith
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106889
1. ἵνα
2. hina
3. in order that
4. -
5. 24430
6. C·······
7. in_order_that
8. in_order_that
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106890
1. ᾖ
2. eimi
3. -
4. -
5. 15100
6. VSPA3··S
7. may_be
8. may_be
9. -
10. -
11. 106891
1. κατά
2. kata
3. according to
4. -
5. 25960
6. P·······
7. according_to
8. according_to
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106892
1. χάριν
2. χaris
3. grace
4. grace
5. 54850
6. N····AFS
7. grace
8. grace
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106893
1. εἰς
2. eis
3. in order
4. -
5. 15190
6. P·······
7. in_order
8. in_order
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106894
1. τό
2. ho
3. that
4. -
5. 35880
6. R····ANS
7. that
8. that
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106895
1. εἶναι
2. eimi
3. to be
4. -
5. 15100
6. VNPA····
7. to_be
8. to_be
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106896
1. βεβαίαν
2. bebaios
3. confirmed
4. confirmed
5. 9490
6. S····AFS
7. confirmed
8. confirmed
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106897
1. τήν
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····AFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106898
1. ἐπαγγελίαν
2. epaŋgelia
3. promise
4. -
5. 18600
6. N····AFS
7. promise
8. promise
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106899
1. παντί
2. pas
3. to all
4. -
5. 39560
6. E····DNS
7. ˱to˲ all
8. ˱to˲ all
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106900
1. τῷ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····DNS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106901
1. σπέρματι
2. sperma
3. seed
4. -
5. 46900
6. N····DNS
7. seed
8. seed
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106902
1. οὒ
2. ou
3. not
4. -
5. 37560
6. C·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106903
1. τῷ
2. ho
3. to the seed
4. -
5. 35880
6. R····DNS
7. ˱to˲ the ‹seed›
8. ˱to˲ the ‹seed›
9. -
10. Y60; F106919; F107032
11. 106904
1. ἐκ
2. ek
3. of
4. -
5. 15370
6. P·······
7. of
8. of
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106905
1. τοῦ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····GMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106906
1. νόμου
2. nomos
3. law
4. -
5. 35510
6. N····GMS
7. law
8. law
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106907
1. μόνον
2. monon
3. only
4. -
5. 34400
6. D·······
7. only
8. only
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106908
1. ἀλλά
2. alla
3. but
4. -
5. 2350
6. C·······
7. but
8. but
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106909
1. καί
2. kai
3. also
4. -
5. 25320
6. D·······
7. also
8. also
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106910
1. τῷ
2. ho
3. to the seed
4. -
5. 35880
6. R····DNS
7. ˱to˲ the ‹seed›
8. ˱to˲ the ‹seed›
9. -
10. Y60; F106919; F107032
11. 106911
1. ἐκ
2. ek
3. of
4. -
5. 15370
6. P·······
7. of
8. of
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106912
1. πίστεως
2. pistis
3. +the faith
4. -
5. 41020
6. N····GFS
7. ˓the˒ faith
8. ˓the˒ faith
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106913
1. Ἀβραάμ
2. abraam
3. of Abraʼam
4. -
5. 110
6. N····GMS
7. ˱of˲ Abraʼam/(ʼAⱱrāhām)
8. ˱of˲ Abraham
9. U
10. Person=Abraham; Y60; F106915; F106930; F106967; F106971; F106973; F106979; F106993; F106997; F107016
11. 106914
1. ὅς
2. hos
3. who
4. -
5. 37390
6. R····NMS
7. who
8. who
9. -
10. Y60; R106914; Person=Abraham
11. 106915
1. ἐστίν
2. eimi
3. is
4. -
5. 15100
6. VIPA3··S
7. is
8. is
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106916
1. πατήρ
2. patēr
3. +the father
4. -
5. 39620
6. N····NMS
7. ˓the˒ father
8. ˓the˒ father
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106917
1. πάντων
2. pas
3. of all
4. -
5. 39560
6. S····GMP
7. ˱of˲ all
8. ˱of˲ all
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106918
1. ἡμῶν
2. egō
3. of us
4. -
5. 14730
6. R···1G·P
7. ˱of˲ us
8. ˱of˲ us
9. -
10. Y60; R105120; Person=Paul; R105362; R106904; R106911
11. 106919

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:13–25: God considers/calls people righteous who believe in Jesus

In this section, Paul showed that God’s promise of blessing to Abraham and his descendants was made because Abraham believed God. God did not promise blessing because Abraham obeyed the law of Moses. Paul then described how Abraham believed and why God called him righteous. Paul then explained that God also calls the people who believe in God (and his Messiah, Jesus) righteous.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

God counts people as righteous through faith, not through the Law Of Moses

God also called us^(incl) righteous because we believe

The lesson/model of God calling Abraham righteous applies to us/believers

4:16a

Therefore, the promise comes by faith,

¶ Therefore the promise requires believing/faith in God,
¶ And so he/God gave the promise to the people who believe in him,

Therefore: This word introduces a conclusion about what Paul wrote in 4:13–15. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

And so (GNT)

For this reason (NET)

the promise comes by faith: The Greek is more literally “of faith.” There is an implied subject and verb. In English the implied subject is translated the promise and refers to God’s promise, as in 4:13a.The topic of 4:13–14 is the promise. 4:14c refers to the promise and 4:15 is an aside about the law. About “(it is) of faith” in 4:16a, Nicoll (page 619) says, “the subject is the promise, considered in reference to the mode of its fulfillment.” Moo (on TW) calls it “the promised inheritance.” The promise was given to Abraham because of his faith. Here are some other ways to translate this:

people receive God’s promise by having faith (NCV)

the promise is received by faith (NLT)

the promise: The word promise refers back to the same promise of 4:13–14. In some languages it is more clear to refer back to it. For example:

that promise

4:16b

so that it may rest on grace

so that the promise is according to his/God’s grace/kindness,
so that God’s promise was given because he is kind,

so that it may rest on grace: Faith was the basis for God making the promise to Abraham. The purpose was so that he might give it according to grace. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

so that the promise may rest on grace (ESV)

and the purpose is that the promise may rest on grace

This purpose has become true already. In some languages it must be translated as result for the correct meaning. For example:

so that the promise rests on grace

may rest on grace: The Greek is literally “(it may be) according to grace.” God promised to give Abraham and his descendants the world because he wanted to, not because he needed to. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

it will be based on his graceKankanaey Back Translation on TW.

it would be clear that his grace…is the origin, not their own deedsTagbanwa Back Translation on TW.

this might be possible by means of his kindnessWestern Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation on TW.

It is given as a free gift (NLT)

it can be a gift (GW)

grace: Here the word grace indicates that God did something kind. He wants to help people. People do not deserve this help. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

as a free gift (NLT)

his great kindness (CEV)

4:16c

and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—

and so that it is certain for all of his children/descendants.
and that God will certainly give it to all of his/Abraham’s descendants.

and: Here the word and indicates that 4:16c expresses a second purpose (after the first one in 4:16b). In some languages it is more clear to introduce the clause again. For example:

and in order that it

guaranteed: The Greek word that the BSB translates as guaranteed means “valid, sure, legally secure.” God will certainly give the world to Abraham and those who have faith like his. Here are other ways to translate this word:

secure (NJB)

certain (NLT)

assured (CEV)

4:16d–e

not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham: Paul had two groups of Abraham’s spiritual children in mind, those who are of the law (Jewish believers) and those who are of the faith of Abraham (non-Jewish believers).

The phrases not only and but also emphasizes the second group. Some Jews thought that a person had to become a Jew first (by following the Law of Moses) for God to accept him or her. But Paul emphasized here that God accepts everyone who has the same faith as Abraham, even if they do not follow the law of Moses. Consider how to translate that emphasis.

4:16d

not only to those who are of the law,

It is promised not only to the person who has the law of Moses and believes
God will certainly fulfill it for not only those who possess the laws of Moses and believe in him

those who are of the law: The Greek is literally “the (one) of the law.” It is similar to “those who live by the law” in 4:14a. The word of indicates that this person is connected to the law of Moses. It refers to the Jews. Translate it in a similar way to the phrase in 4:14a.

This phrase refers generally to Jews. The singular emphasizes that this statement is true for each person. In some languages it is more natural to use the plural in a general reference. For example:

to the adherent of the law (ESV)

people who have/possess the laws of Moses

The context implies that these people also believe in God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply they do not believe. If that is true in your language, add the implied information. For example:

the adherent of the law who believes

someone who has the law of Moses and believes in God

4:16e

but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham.

but also to the person who has the same faith as Abraham,
but also to those who believe in God as Abraham did.

those who are of the faith of Abraham: This phrase refers to those who believe in God as Abraham did. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

anyone who lives with faith like that of Abraham (NCV)

all who are Abraham’s descendants because they have faith, just as he did (CEV)

4:16f

He is the father of us all.

who is like the father of all of us^(incl),
He/Abraham is like a father to all of us in/regarding believing in God.

He is the father of us all: This clause tells the reader more about Abraham. In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, consider how to translate the correct meaning. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here, as the BSB does.

the father of us all: The word father is a figure of speech here, similar to its use in 4:11–12. God chose to bless the world through Abraham. That choice was based upon Abraham’s faith in God. In that way he became the father (or ancestor) for all those who later believe, because he was the first one to do so. So the meaning of father here is broader than just in terms of a father to child kind of descent.

In some languages translating father literally would imply a literal ancestor. If that is true in your language, indicate that it has a figurative meaning. For example:

like the father of us all

whom God made to be thought of as the father of us all

as-if the ancestor of us allKankanaey Back Translation on TW.

whom we consider as father of us all in faith

the spiritual father of us all (GNT)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐκ πίστεως

of faith

Here, it refers to the promise mentioned later in the verse and introduced in [4:13](../04/13.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [the promise is by faith]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐκ πίστεως

of faith

Here, by faith indicates the means by which someone acquires the promise. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [a person acquires God’s promise by faith]

Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

ἵνα

in_order_that

This phrase introduces a purpose clause. Paul is stating the purpose for which God makes faith the means for acquiring the promise. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation (without a comma preceding): [so that]

κατὰ χάριν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Διά τοῦτο ἐκ πίστεως ἵνα κατά χάριν εἰς τό εἶναι βεβαίαν τήν ἐπαγγελίαν παντί τῷ σπέρματι οὒ τῷ ἐκ τοῦ νόμου μόνον ἀλλά καί τῷ ἐκ πίστεως Ἀβραάμ ὅς ἐστίν πατήρ πάντων ἡμῶν)

Alternate translation: [by grace] or [on the basis of grace]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

χάριν

grace

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of grace, you could express the same idea with a different form. Alternate translation: [how gracious God is]

Note 5 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

εἰς τὸ εἶναι βεβαίαν, τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν

in_order (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Διά τοῦτο ἐκ πίστεως ἵνα κατά χάριν εἰς τό εἶναι βεβαίαν τήν ἐπαγγελίαν παντί τῷ σπέρματι οὒ τῷ ἐκ τοῦ νόμου μόνον ἀλλά καί τῷ ἐκ πίστεως Ἀβραάμ ὅς ἐστίν πατήρ πάντων ἡμῶν)

Here, so that could indicate: (1) a purpose clause. Alternate translation: [in order for the promise to be certain] (2) a result clause. Alternate translation: [with the result that the promise might be certain]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν

See how you translated promise in [4:13](../04/13.md).

Note 7 topic: grammar-collectivenouns

παντὶ τῷ σπέρματι

The phrase all the seed is singular but refers to a group of people. If your language does not use singular nouns in that way, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: [all the descendants]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

παντὶ τῷ σπέρματι

See how you translated seed in [4:13](../04/13.md).

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / distinguish

οὐ τῷ ἐκ τοῦ νόμου μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῷ ἐκ πίστεως Ἀβραάμ

These clauses give further information about the phrase all the seed. They distinguish between the seed associated with the law and the seed associated with the faith. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the relationship between these phrases clearer. Alternate translation: [both from those believers associated with Abraham through the law and those associated with the faith of Abraham]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐκ τοῦ νόμου

of of the law

See how you translated this phrase in [4:14](../04/14.md).

Note 11 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐκ πίστεως Ἀβραάμ

of faith of of ˓the˒_faith ˱of˲_Abraham

Here, from the faith of Abraham refers to those who trust in God the way Abraham did. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [who has the same faith as Abraham]

Note 12 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ὅς ἐστιν πατὴρ πάντων ἡμῶν

who (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Διά τοῦτο ἐκ πίστεως ἵνα κατά χάριν εἰς τό εἶναι βεβαίαν τήν ἐπαγγελίαν παντί τῷ σπέρματι οὒ τῷ ἐκ τοῦ νόμου μόνον ἀλλά καί τῷ ἐκ πίστεως Ἀβραάμ ὅς ἐστίν πατήρ πάντων ἡμῶν)

Paul uses father to refer to Abraham as if he physically produced all human beings. Paul means that Abraham is the physical ancestor of all believing Jews and the spiritual ancestor of all believing non-Jews. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [who spiritually represents all of us who believe]

Note 13 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

πάντων ἡμῶν

˱of˲_all ˱of˲_us

Here, us all refers to all the seed and so is inclusive of all believing Jews and non-Jews. Your language may require you to mark these forms. Alternate translation: [of all believers in God] or [of all of us who trust in God]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

1. OET-LV words
2. OET-RV words
3. Strongs
4. Greek word
5. Greek lemma
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. Because of
2. 37\x*Because
3. 12230
4. PS
5. dia
6. P-·······
7. because_of
8. because_of
9. PS
10. Y60
11. 106886
1. this is
2. -
3. 37780
5. houtos
6. R-····ANS
7. this ‹is›
8. this ‹is›
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106887
1. of
2. -
3. 15370
5. ek
6. P-·······
7. of
8. of
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106888
1. faith
2. -
3. 41020
5. pistis
6. N-····GFS
7. faith
8. faith
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106889
1. in order that
2. -
3. 24430
5. hina
6. C-·······
7. in_order_that
8. in_order_that
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106890
1. according to
2. -
3. 25960
5. kata
6. P-·······
7. according_to
8. according_to
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106892
1. grace
2. grace
3. 54850
5. χaris
6. N-····AFS
7. grace
8. grace
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106893
1. in order
2. -
3. 15190
5. eis
6. P-·······
7. in_order
8. in_order
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106894
1. that
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. R-····ANS
7. that
8. that
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106895
1. to be
2. -
3. 15100
5. eimi
6. V-NPA····
7. to_be
8. to_be
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106896
1. confirmed
2. confirmed
3. 9490
5. bebaios
6. S-····AFS
7. confirmed
8. confirmed
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106897
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····AFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106898
1. promise
2. -
3. 18600
5. epaŋgelia
6. N-····AFS
7. promise
8. promise
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106899
1. to all
2. -
3. 39560
5. pas
6. E-····DNS
7. ˱to˲ all
8. ˱to˲ all
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106900
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····DNS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106901
1. seed
2. -
3. 46900
5. sperma
6. N-····DNS
7. seed
8. seed
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106902
1. not
2. -
3. 37560
5. ou
6. C-·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106903
1. to the seed
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. R-····DNS
7. ˱to˲ the ‹seed›
8. ˱to˲ the ‹seed›
9. -
10. Y60; F106919; F107032
11. 106904
1. of
2. -
3. 15370
5. ek
6. P-·······
7. of
8. of
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106905
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····GMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106906
1. law
2. -
3. 35510
5. nomos
6. N-····GMS
7. law
8. law
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106907
1. only
2. -
3. 34400
5. monon
6. D-·······
7. only
8. only
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106908
1. but
2. -
3. 2350
5. alla
6. C-·······
7. but
8. but
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106909
1. also
2. -
3. 25320
5. kai
6. D-·······
7. also
8. also
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106910
1. to the seed
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. R-····DNS
7. ˱to˲ the ‹seed›
8. ˱to˲ the ‹seed›
9. -
10. Y60; F106919; F107032
11. 106911
1. of
2. -
3. 15370
5. ek
6. P-·······
7. of
8. of
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106912
1. +the faith
2. -
3. 41020
5. pistis
6. N-····GFS
7. ˓the˒ faith
8. ˓the˒ faith
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106913
1. of Abraʼam
2. -
3. 110
4. U
5. abraam
6. N-····GMS
7. ˱of˲ Abraʼam/(ʼAⱱrāhām)
8. ˱of˲ Abraham
9. U
10. Person=Abraham; Y60; F106915; F106930; F106967; F106971; F106973; F106979; F106993; F106997; F107016
11. 106914
1. who
2. -
3. 37390
5. hos
6. R-····NMS
7. who
8. who
9. -
10. Y60; R106914; Person=Abraham
11. 106915
1. is
2. -
3. 15100
5. eimi
6. V-IPA3··S
7. is
8. is
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106916
1. +the father
2. -
3. 39620
5. patēr
6. N-····NMS
7. ˓the˒ father
8. ˓the˒ father
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106917
1. of all
2. -
3. 39560
5. pas
6. S-····GMP
7. ˱of˲ all
8. ˱of˲ all
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106918
1. of us
2. -
3. 14730
5. egō
6. R-···1G·P
7. ˱of˲ us
8. ˱of˲ us
9. -
10. Y60; R105120; Person=Paul; R105362; R106904; R106911
11. 106919

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear ROM 4:16

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)