12 [a]And the father of circumcision, not unto them only which are of the circumcision, but unto them also that walk in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had when he was uncircumcised.

13 [b]For the promise that he should be the [c]heir of the world, was not given to Abraham, or to his seed, through the [d]Law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14 [e]For if they which are of the [f]Law, be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:12 An applying of the same example, to the circumcised believers, whose father Abraham is, but yet by faith.
  2. Romans 4:13 A reason why the seed of Abraham is to be esteemed by faith, because that Abraham himself through faith was made partaker of that promise, whereby he was made the father of all nations.
  3. Romans 4:13 That all the nations of the world should be his children: or by the world may be understood the land of Canaan.
  4. Romans 4:13 For works that he had done, or upon this condition that he should fulfill the Law.
  5. Romans 4:14 A double confirmation of that reason: the one is, that the promise cannot be apprehended by the Law, and therefore it should be frustrated: the other, that the condition of faith should be joined in vain to that promise which should be apprehended by works.
  6. Romans 4:14 If they be heirs which have fulfilled the Law.

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