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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Romans 4:16 - 4:16
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16. διᾲ τοῦτο κ.τ.λ. Here follows the positive side of the argument, of which the negative has been given—not ἐκ νόμου but κατὰ χάριν. Observe that νόμος as laying conditions upon men is contrasted with πίστις, as implying the action of GOD with χάρις. See. below.
διὰ τοῦτο. Antecedent to ἵνα; for this cause, with this object; cf. Blass, p. 132, § 42, 1. Cf. 2Co 13:10; 2Th 2:11; 1Ti 1:16; Phm 1:15; Heb 9:15 (w. ὅπως).
ἐκ πίστεως, sc. ἡ δικαιοσύνη ἐστίν.
ἵνα κατὰ χάριν, sc. γένηται, that it might depend on and be measured by GOD’S favour in contrast to man’s earning; cf. Rom 3:24 and below, chh. 5, 6.
εἰς τὸ εἶναι βεβαίαν. Only if righteousness is the free gift of GOD could the promise be guaranteed to all the seed: other conditions would have imported an element of insecurity.
παντὶ τῷ σπέρματι determines the meaning of τῷ σπέρματι in Rom 4:13; contrast Gal 3:16.
τῷ ἐκ τοῦ νόμου. The promise is secure to these too, if besides starting from law they have Abraham’s faith.
τῷ ἐκ π. It is implied that these have not τὸν νόμον; cf. Rom 3:30.
ὅς ἐστιν κ.τ.λ. expands and emphasises παντὶ τῷ σπέρματι. ἡμῶν, in the widest possible sense.