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Romans 4

Rom. 4:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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1
What
tis (Greek #5101)
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
KJV usage: every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
Pronounce: tis
Origin: probably emphatic of 5100
shall we say
ereo (Greek #2046)
an alternate for 2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. speak or say
KJV usage: call, say, speak (of), tell.
Pronounce: er-eh'-o
Origin: probably a fuller form of 4483
then
oun (Greek #3767)
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
KJV usage: and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
Pronounce: oon
Origin: apparently a primary word
that Abraham
Abraam (Greek #11)
Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch
KJV usage: Abraham. (In Acts 7:16 the text should probably read Jacob.)
Pronounce: ab-rah-am'
Origin: of Hebrew origin (085)
our
hemon (Greek #2257)
of (or from) us
KJV usage: our (company), us, we.
Pronounce: hay-mone'
Origin: genitive case plural of 1473
father
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
pater (Greek #3962)
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
KJV usage: father, parent.
Pronounce: pat-ayr'
Origin: apparently a primary word
h, as pertaining to
kata (Greek #2596)
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
KJV usage: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
Pronounce: kat-ah'
Origin: a primary particle
the flesh
sarx (Greek #4561)
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such)
KJV usage: carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).
Pronounce: sarx
Origin: probably from the base of 4563
, hath found
heurisko (Greek #2147)
εὕρω (hyoo'-ro), which (together with another cognate form) εὑρέω (hyoo-reh'-o) is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: find, get, obtain, perceive, see.
Pronounce: hyoo-ris'-ko
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h
Matt. 3:9• 9And do not think to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. (Matt. 3:9)

More on:

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Abraham,
Father,
Flesh

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-9:  Abraham's faith was imputed to him for righteousness;
10-12:  before he was circumcised.
13-15:  By faith only he and his seed received the promise.
16-23:  Abraham is the father of all that believe.
24-25:  Our faith also shall be imputed to us for righteousness.
what.
Rom. 6:1• 1What then shall we say? Should we continue in sin that grace may abound? (Rom. 6:1)
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Rom. 7:7• 7What shall we say then? is the law sin? Far be the thought. But I had not known sin, unless by law: for I had not had conscience also of lust unless the law had said, Thou shalt not lust; (Rom. 7:7)
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Rom. 8:31• 31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who against us? (Rom. 8:31)
Abraham.
Isa. 51:2• 2Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bore you; for I called him when he was alone, and blessed him, and multiplied him. (Isa. 51:2)
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Matt. 3:9• 9And do not think to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. (Matt. 3:9)
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Luke 3:8• 8Produce therefore fruits worthy of repentance; and begin not to say in yourselves, We have Abraham for our father, for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. (Luke 3:8)
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Luke 16:24‑25,29‑31• 24And he crying out said, Father Abraham, have compassion on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering in this flame.
 25But Abraham said, Child, recollect that *thou* hast fully received thy good things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazarus evil things. But now he is comforted here, and *thou* art in suffering.
 29But Abraham says to him, They have Moses and the prophets: let them hear them.
 30But he said, Nay, father Abraham, but if one from the dead should go to them, they will repent.
 31And he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, not even if one rise from among the dead will they be persuaded. (Luke 16:24‑25,29‑31)
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John 8:33,37‑41,53,56• 33They answered him, We are Abraham's seed, and have never been under bondage to any one; how sayest thou, Ye shall become free?
 37I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word has no entrance in you.
 38I speak what I have seen with my Father, and ye then do what ye have seen with your father.
 39They answered and said to him, Abraham is our father. Jesus says to them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham;
 40but now ye seek to kill me, a man who has spoken the truth to you, which I have heard from God: this did not Abraham.
 41Ye do the works of your father. They said therefore to him, We are not born of fornication; we have one father, God.
 53Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who has died? and the prophets have died: whom makest thou thyself?
 56Your father Abraham exulted in that he should see my day, and he saw and rejoiced. (John 8:33,37‑41,53,56)
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Acts 13:26• 26Brethren, sons of Abraham's race, and those who among you fear God, to you has the word of this salvation been sent: (Acts 13:26)
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2 Cor. 11:22• 22Are they Hebrews? *I* also. Are they Israelites? *I* also. Are they seed of Abraham? *I* also. (2 Cor. 11:22)
as pertaining.
Rom. 4:16• 16Therefore it is on the principle of faith, that it might be according to grace, in order to the promise being sure to all the seed, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of Abraham's faith, who is father of us all, (Rom. 4:16)
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Heb. 12:9• 9Moreover we have had the fathers of our flesh as chasteners, and we reverenced them; shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? (Heb. 12:9)
• The Jew might have admitted his personal failure under the law, and pleaded the enjoyment of privilege under Abraham. (“Romans 4” by J.N. Darby)
• Paul's immediate object in chapter 4 is to show that the gospel, which promises blessing on the principle of faith "without works," is in full accord with the Old Testament Scriptures. Hence, "the righteousness of faith" is not something new. (“The Righteousness of Faith: Romans 4” by B. Anstey)
• In this chapter, the focus is on believing God by taking Him at His word (vss. 3, 5, 17, 24). This is necessary for the believer's assurance. (“The Righteousness of Faith: Romans 4” by B. Anstey)

J. N. Darby Translation

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What shall we say then that Abraham our father according to flesh has found?

W. Kelly Translation

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What then shall we say that Abraham our fore-father according to flesh hath founda?

WK Translation Notes

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a
The manuscripts differ widely in this place. Not a few MSS. omit "hath found," which would yield a very easy sense. Also, it appears to me, that the best testimony connects "our forefathers according to flesh," not "hath found according to the flesh."