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Romans 4:16

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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,

Therefore {G1223}{G5124} it is of {G1537} faith {G4102}, that {G2443} it might be by {G2596} grace {G5485}; to the end {G1519} the promise {G1860} might be {G1511} sure {G949} to all {G3956} the seed {G4690}; not {G3756} to that only {G3440} which is of {G1537} the law {G3551}, but {G235} to that also {G2532} which is of {G1537} the faith {G4102} of Abraham {G11}; who {G3739} is {G2076} the father {G3962} of us {G2257} all {G3956},

The reason the promise is based on trusting is so that it may come as God’s free gift, a promise that can be relied on by all the seed, not only those who live within the framework of the Torah, but also those with the kind of trust Avraham had — Avraham avinu for all of us.

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.

For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace; to the end that the promise may 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

Commentary

Romans 4:16 (KJV) is a pivotal verse in Paul's argument for justification by faith, using Abraham as the prime example.

Context

Chapter 4 of Romans focuses on demonstrating that Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation and a figure of immense importance under the Law, was actually justified by faith, not by works or circumcision. Paul argues that God's promise to Abraham and his descendants was based on faith, not adherence to the Law, which came much later. This verse serves as a concluding summary of why justification must be "of faith, that it might be by grace," ensuring the promise extends beyond ethnic Israel to all who believe.

Key Themes

  • Faith and Grace: The verse explicitly links faith and grace. Salvation is received through faith, but its basis is entirely God's unmerited favor (Ephesians 2:8-9). This highlights that it is a gift, not something earned.
  • The Surety of the Promise: By making the promise dependent on grace received by faith, rather than human performance under the law, God ensures its certainty ("might be sure"). Human effort is fallible, but God's grace is constant.
  • Abraham's "Seed": The "seed" refers to Abraham's descendants. Paul clarifies that this includes not just those "of the law" (physical Israel) but also those "of the faith of Abraham" (all believers, both Jew and Gentile). Abraham is presented as the spiritual father of all who share his faith, echoing the promise in Genesis 17:5.
  • Inclusivity: This verse is crucial for understanding the universal scope of the gospel. The promise is available to all who believe, regardless of their ethnic background or adherence to the Mosaic Law. Believers are identified as Abraham's seed through Christ, as highlighted in Galatians 3:29.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "faith" is pistis (πίστις), implying trust, belief, and reliance. "Grace" is charis (χάρις), meaning unmerited favor or gift. The structure "of faith, that it might be by grace" emphasizes both the means by which we receive God's promise (faith) and the source from which it originates (grace). The term "seed" (sperma, σπέρμα) is used here in a broad sense to encompass all who are heirs of the promise through faith.

Practical Application

This verse provides immense comfort and assurance. It reminds us that our salvation and standing before God are not based on our own merits or ability to keep religious rules, but solely on God's gracious provision received through simple faith in Jesus Christ. This truth liberates us from the burden of trying to earn God's favor and unites all believers, from every background, as one family under our spiritual father, Abraham.

Reflection

Romans 4:16 powerfully summarizes the core message of the gospel: God's promise of salvation is a gift of grace, made available through faith, and is sure for everyone—Jew or Gentile—who believes, just as Abraham believed and was counted righteous (Genesis 15:6).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 3:24 (16 votes)

    Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

  • Romans 3:26 (16 votes)

    To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

  • Ephesians 2:8 (13 votes)

    For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

  • Romans 9:8 (4 votes)

    That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

  • Galatians 3:22 (4 votes)

    But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

  • Titus 3:7 (3 votes)

    That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

  • Romans 5:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: