📖 Romans — Chapter 4 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Romans 4:1 RWhat shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
Romans 4:2 For if RAbraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Romans 4:3 For Rwhat saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Romans 4:5 RBut to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Romans 4:6 Even as David also describeth the Rblessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Romans 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Romans 4:8 Blessed is the man Rto whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Romans 4:9 RCometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Romans 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? RNot in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
Romans 4:11 And he received Rthe 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:
Romans 4:12 And the father of circumcision Rto 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.
Romans 4:13 RFor 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.
Romans 4:14 RFor if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Romans 4:15 RBecause the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Romans 4:16 Therefore it is Rof 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,
Romans 4:17 (As it is written, RI 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.
Romans 4:18 Who Ragainst hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
Romans 4:19 And Rbeing 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:
Romans 4:20 He Rstaggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Romans 4:21 And being Rfully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Romans 4:22 And therefore Rit was imputed to him for righteousness.
Romans 4:23 RNow it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
Romans 4:24 But Rfor us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Romans 4:25 RWho was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Romans 4:1–8 — Abraham and David witness to counted righteousness
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul considers Abraham’s faith counted for righteousness rather than a wage earned by works. David’s blessing concerning forgiven sins further illustrates righteousness counted apart from works.
Key Truth: Receive forgiveness as mercy rather than a debt owed to your achievement.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “What shall we say then that Abraham our ____ , as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?” (Romans 4:1)
Find it in Romans 4:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for ____ .” (Romans 4:3)
Find it in Romans 4:3 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ is the man to whom the Lord will not impute …” (Romans 4:8)
Find it in Romans 4:8 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Romans 4:9–12 — Abraham’s faith preceded circumcision
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul notes that Abraham’s righteousness was counted before circumcision, which afterward served as a sign and seal. Abraham’s place as father reaches those who share the faith rather than only the outward mark.
Key Truth: Do not make an outward sign a substitute for faith.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for ____ .” (Romans 4:9)
Find it in Romans 4:9 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And the ____ of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision …” (Romans 4:12)
Find it in Romans 4:12 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “How was it then reckoned? when he was in ____ , or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.” (Romans 4:10)
Find it in Romans 4:10 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Romans 4:13–25 — The promise rests on faith in the God who gives life
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The promise is addressed through faith and grace, with Abraham trusting God despite age and apparent impossibility. Paul applies the counting of righteousness to those believing in the God who raised Jesus from the dead.
Key Truth: Trust God’s promise while attending honestly to difficult circumstances.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Because the ____ worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no …” (Romans 4:15)
Find it in Romans 4:15 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And ____ fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able …” (Romans 4:21)
Find it in Romans 4:21 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Who was ____ for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4:25)
Find it in Romans 4:25 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Genesis 15:6 — Paul recalls Abraham’s belief being counted for righteousness.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What apparent impossibility needs to be faced with honest attention and trust in God?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Romans 4:1–8 (Abraham and David witness to counted righteousness) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Romans 4:9–12 (Abraham’s faith preceded circumcision) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Romans 4:13–25 (The promise rests on faith in the God who gives life) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What is counted to Abraham for righteousness in the cited Scripture?
5. How does Abraham respond to the promise despite its difficulty?
Notes
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