Romans 4

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

So, what can we conclude about what our forefather Abraham discovered in his human journey?

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

If Abraham had earned his righteousness through his deeds, he could have been proud. But in God's eyes, it's not about what he did.

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

The scripture asks, didn't Abraham trust God completely? And because of his unwavering faith, God considered him a righteous man.

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

The one who works hard doesn't receive blessings as a gift, but as a deserved reward.

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

If you don't work but have faith in the one who forgives the sinful, your faith is seen as righteousness.

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

David beautifully portrays the joy of the person who God considers righteous, not because of their deeds, but because of their faith.

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

Blessed are those whose wrongdoings are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

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

Fortunate is the person whom God will not hold accountable for sin.

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

Does this divine joy come only to the circumcised, or also to the uncircumcised? After all, we say that Abraham was considered righteous because of his faith.

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

Was his worth determined when he was circumcised, or when he wasn't? It wasn't during his circumcision, but rather when he was uncircumcised.

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:

He received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness he already had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. This made him a spiritual father to all who believe without being circumcised, so that they too are counted righteous.

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.

And he is also the father of the circumcised, those who are not only circumcised but also walk in the path of faith that Abraham himself walked while he was still uncircumcised.

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.

The promise that Abraham and his descendants would inherit the world wasn't given because they followed the law. Instead, it was given because they had faith, a deep and unwavering belief.

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

If those who follow the law alone are the chosen ones, then faith becomes meaningless and God's promise loses its power.

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

The law brings God's wrath, because where there is no law, there is no breaking of it.

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,

So, we believe and trust, so that we may receive God's kindness. This ensures that God's promise is certain for everyone, not just those who follow the law, but also those who have faith like Abraham, who is like a father to us all.

(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.

As it's written in the sacred text, "I have made you the father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, the God he believed in, who breathes life into the dead and speaks of things that don't exist as if they already do.

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.

Despite all odds, he clung onto hope, believing he could become the father of many nations, just as it was prophesied, "Your descendants will be plentiful."

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:

Despite his advanced age, his faith remained strong. He didn't focus on his own aging body or Sarah's barren womb.

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

He didn't falter at God's promise due to doubt; instead, he held firm in his faith, honoring God with all his heart.

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

He was completely convinced that God was able to do what He had promised.

And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

And so, he was recognized as righteous because of his faith.

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

The words "it was credited to him" weren't written just for him,

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

but for us too: we also will be counted righteous if we have faith in the one who resurrected our Lord Jesus from death.

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

He was given up because of our wrongdoings, and resurrected to make us right in the eyes of God.