Romans 4:14
12 And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
13 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.
For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless,
15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless,
- KJV
- For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
- WEB
- For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect.
- ASV
- For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect:
- DARBY
- For if they which [are] of law be heirs, faith is made vain, and the promise made of no effect.
- BLB
- For if those of the law [are] heirs, faith has been made void and the promise has been nullified.
- ÅB
- For dersom de som holder seg til loven er arvinger, så er troen blitt unyttig, og løftet blitt til ingenting.
- OTB
- For hvis de som stoler på loven er arvinger, da er troen gjort til intet og løftet opphevet,
- B1930
- For dersom de som holder sig til loven, er arvinger, da er troen blitt unyttig, og løftet blitt til intet;
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Galatians 3:18–24
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.
Read in contextHebrews 7:19
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
Read in contextPhilippians 3:9
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.
Read in contextRomans 3:31
Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.
Read in contextIsaiah 55:11
so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.
Read in contextGalatians 2:21
I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing.
Read in contextRomans 4:16
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
Read in contextHebrews 7:28
For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
Read in context