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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 think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto 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 shall we say then? Shall 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? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. (Rom. 7:7)
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Rom. 8:31• 31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31)
Abraham.
Isa. 51:2• 2Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. (Isa. 51:2)
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Matt. 3:9• 9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. (Matt. 3:9)
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Luke 3:8• 8Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. (Luke 3:8)
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Luke 16:24‑25,29‑31• 24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
 25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
 29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
 30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
 31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:24‑25,29‑31)
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John 8:33,37‑41,53,56• 33They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
 37I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
 38I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
 39They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
 40But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
 41Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
 53Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
 56Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. (John 8:33,37‑41,53,56)
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Acts 13:26• 26Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. (Acts 13:26)
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2 Cor. 11:22• 22Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. (2 Cor. 11:22)
as pertaining.
Rom. 4:16• 16Therefore 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, (Rom. 4:16)
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Heb. 12:9• 9Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto 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."