ROM 4:20 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. εἰς
2. eis
3. at
4. -
5. 15190
6. P·······
7. at
8. at
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106986
1. δέ
2. de
3. but
4. -
5. 11610
6. C·······
7. but
8. but
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106987
1. τήν
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····AFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106988
1. ἐπαγγελίαν
2. epaŋgelia
3. promise
4. promise
5. 18600
6. N····AFS
7. promise
8. promise
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106989
1. τοῦ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····GMS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106990
1. Θεοῦ
2. theos
3. of god
4. -
5. 23160
6. N····GMS
7. ˱of˲ god
8. ˱of˲ God
9. GN
10. Y60; Person=God
11. 106991
1. οὒ
2. ou
3. not
4. didn't
5. 37560
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106992
1. διεκρίθη
2. diakrinō
3. he was doubted
4. doubt
5. 12520
6. VIAP3··S
7. ˱he˲ ˓was˒ doubted
8. ˱he˲ ˓was˒ doubted
9. -
10. Y60; R106914; Person=Abraham
11. 106993
1. τῇ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····DFS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106994
1. ἀπιστίᾳ
2. apistia
3. in unbelief
4. unbelief
5. 5700
6. N····DFS
7. ˱in˲ unbelief
8. ˱in˲ unbelief
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106995
1. ἀλλʼ
2. alla
3. but
4. -
5. 2350
6. C·······
7. but
8. but
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106996
1. ἐνεδυναμώθη
2. endunamoō
3. he was strengthened
4. strengthened
5. 17430
6. VIAP3··S
7. ˱he˲ ˓was˒ strengthened
8. ˱he˲ ˓was˒ strengthened
9. -
10. Y60; R106914; Person=Abraham
11. 106997
1. τῇ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····DFS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106998
1. πίστει
2. pistis
3. in faith
4. faith
5. 41020
6. N····DFS
7. ˱in˲ faith
8. ˱in˲ faith
9. -
10. Y60; F107026; F107033; F107034
11. 106999
1. δούς
2. didōmi
3. having given
4. given
5. 13250
6. VPAA·NMS
7. ˓having˒ given
8. ˓having˒ given
9. -
10. Y60
11. 107000
1. δόξαν
2. doxa
3. glory
4. -
5. 13910
6. N····AFS
7. glory
8. glory
9. -
10. Y60
11. 107001
1. τῷ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····DMS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 107002
1. Θεῷ
2. theos
3. to god
4. -
5. 23160
6. N····DMS
7. ˱to˲ god
8. ˱to˲ God
9. GN
10. Y60; Person=God
11. 107003

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

4:20a–c

In this verse, Paul spoke more about Abraham’s faith in relation to the promise that God told him.

4:20a

Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God,

But/Yet, he did not doubt God’s promise in unbelief
He also did not fall down in believing and so doubt the promise of God,

Yet: This Greek word indicates contrast. Some languages would naturally want to indicate contrast here to “Without weakening in his faith” (4:19a). But in some languages 4:20a does not contrast to 4:19a. Consider what is most natural in your language.

he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God: The Greek is literally “toward the promise of God he did not waver/doubt in/by unbelief.” Abraham lived believing God and what he said. So he was not uncertain about God’s promise. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God (NIV)

He didn’t doubt God’s promise out of a lack of faith (GW)

He never doubted that God would keep his promise (NCV)

He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises (NLT)

He continued to believe that finally God’s promise to him would be fulfilled. Abraham did not doubtYakan Back Translation on TW, with Abraham’s name spelled the English way.

4:20b

but was strengthened in his faith

but/and became stronger in his believing.
but/and God made his/Abraham’s faith bigger/stronger,

but: The word but here indicates a contrast. However, in some languages there is no contrast between “he did not waver” (4:20a) and “was strengthened in his faith” here. For example:

andUma Back Translation on TW.

was strengthened in his faith: This clause indicates that Abraham’s faith in God increased. He believed in God more and more. The Greek is passive, indicating that God strengthened Abraham’s faith.Morris (on TW) says, “Paul is not saying that faith, so to speak, took a weak Abraham and put strength into him. He is saying that God took a weak Abraham and put strength into him. Abraham was made strong because of his faith indeed, but it was God, not faith, that provided the strength.” But Moo (on TW) says, “The translation ‘grew strong’ is preferable to treating it as a genuine passive.” Schreiner (page 238) also says he prefers, “he became strong in faith.” Here are other ways to translate this clause:

he became stronger in his faith

his faith/believing strengthened

God strengthened his/Abraham’s faith

In some languages the word faith cannot be used with strengthened. If that is true in your language, consider how to translate the meaning. For example:

he believed in God in more and more ways

his faith matured

his faith continued to be great

4:20c

and gave glory to God,

At the same time he glorified God.
and he/Abraham honored and praised God.

and: The word and indicates that Abraham gave glory to God at the same time that his faith grew strong (4:20b). Another way to translate this word is:

at-the-same-timeKankanaey Back Translation on TW.

gave glory to God: This clause indicates that Abraham honored and praised God. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

he also was praising GodKankanaey Back Translation on TW.

he honored and praised God

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

εἰς δὲ τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ, οὐ διεκρίθη τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ

at (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰς δέ τήν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ οὒ διεκρίθη τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ ἀλλʼ ἐνεδυναμώθη τῇ πίστει δούς δόξαν τῷ Θεῷ)

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: [Abraham did not waver in unbelief about what God promised]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

δὲ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰς δέ τήν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ οὒ διεκρίθη τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ ἀλλʼ ἐνεδυναμώθη τῇ πίστει δούς δόξαν τῷ Θεῷ)

But here indicates that what follows emphasizes Abraham’s faith in the promise of God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [Nonetheless,] or [In fact,]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

εἰς & τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ

at & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰς δέ τήν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ οὒ διεκρίθη τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ ἀλλʼ ἐνεδυναμώθη τῇ πίστει δούς δόξαν τῷ Θεῷ)

The word translated as toward could also mean “with regard to” or “regarding.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [with regard to the promise of God] or [regarding the promise of God]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ

Paul is using the possessive form to describe the promise that comes from God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: [the promise that came from God] or [the promise from God]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of promise, you could express the same idea with a different form. Alternate translation: [the things God promised] or [the things God said would happen]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / doublenegatives

οὐ διεκρίθη τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ

Here, did not waver and unbelief form a double negative expression. If this double negative would be misunderstood in your language, you could translate it as a positive statement. Alternate translation: [he did not waver in believing] or [his belief did not waver]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ & τῇ πίστει

¬the ˱in˲_unbelief & ¬the ˱in˲_faith

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of unbelief and faith, you could express the same ideas with verbal forms. Alternate translation: [by distrusting … by trusting]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἐνεδυναμώθη τῇ πίστει

˱he˲_˓was˒_strengthened ¬the ˱in˲_faith

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you must state who did the action, Paul implies that “God” did it. Alternate translation: [God strengthened him in the faith]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐνεδυναμώθη τῇ πίστει

˱he˲_˓was˒_strengthened ¬the ˱in˲_faith

Paul speaks of Abraham’s faith as if it were something in which a person could be strengthened. He means that God enabled Abraham to continue trusting him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [was enabled to keep on trusting]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

δοὺς δόξαν τῷ Θεῷ

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of glory, you could express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: [having glorified 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. but
2. -
3. 11610
5. de
6. C-·······
7. but
8. but
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106987
1. at
2. -
3. 15190
5. eis
6. P-·······
7. at
8. at
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106986
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····AFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106988
1. promise
2. promise
3. 18600
5. epaŋgelia
6. N-····AFS
7. promise
8. promise
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106989
1. of
2. -
3. 23160
4. GN
5. theos
6. N-····GMS
7. ˱of˲ god
8. ˱of˲ God
9. GN
10. Y60; Person=God
11. 106991
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····GMS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106990
1. god
2. -
3. 23160
4. GN
5. theos
6. N-····GMS
7. ˱of˲ god
8. ˱of˲ God
9. GN
10. Y60; Person=God
11. 106991
1. not
2. didn't
3. 37560
5. ou
6. D-·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106992
1. he was doubted
2. doubt
3. 12520
5. diakrinō
6. V-IAP3··S
7. ˱he˲ ˓was˒ doubted
8. ˱he˲ ˓was˒ doubted
9. -
10. Y60; R106914; Person=Abraham
11. 106993
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····DFS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106994
1. in unbelief
2. unbelief
3. 5700
5. apistia
6. N-····DFS
7. ˱in˲ unbelief
8. ˱in˲ unbelief
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106995
1. but
2. -
3. 2350
5. alla
6. C-·······
7. but
8. but
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106996
1. he was strengthened
2. strengthened
3. 17430
5. endunamoō
6. V-IAP3··S
7. ˱he˲ ˓was˒ strengthened
8. ˱he˲ ˓was˒ strengthened
9. -
10. Y60; R106914; Person=Abraham
11. 106997
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····DFS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106998
1. in faith
2. faith
3. 41020
5. pistis
6. N-····DFS
7. ˱in˲ faith
8. ˱in˲ faith
9. -
10. Y60; F107026; F107033; F107034
11. 106999
1. having given
2. given
3. 13250
5. didōmi
6. V-PAA·NMS
7. ˓having˒ given
8. ˓having˒ given
9. -
10. Y60
11. 107000
1. glory
2. -
3. 13910
5. doxa
6. N-····AFS
7. glory
8. glory
9. -
10. Y60
11. 107001
1. to
2. -
3. 23160
4. GN
5. theos
6. N-····DMS
7. ˱to˲ god
8. ˱to˲ God
9. GN
10. Y60; Person=God
11. 107003
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····DMS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 107002
1. god
2. -
3. 23160
4. GN
5. theos
6. N-····DMS
7. ˱to˲ god
8. ˱to˲ God
9. GN
10. Y60; Person=God
11. 107003

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.