Paragraph 4:16–17

4:16a

Therefore: This word introduces a conclusion about what Paul wrote in 4:13–15. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

And so (Good News Translation)
-or-
For this reason (NET Bible)

the promise comes by faith: The Greek is more literally “of faith.” There is an implied subject and verb. In English the implied subject is translated the promise and refers to God’s promise, as in 4:13a. The promise was given to Abraham because of his faith. Here are some other ways to translate this:

people receive God’s promise by having faith (New Century Version)
-or-
the promise is received by faith (New Living Translation (2004))

the promise: The word promise refers back to the same promise of 4:13–14. In some languages it is more clear to refer back to it. For example:

that promise

4:16b

so that it may rest on grace: Faith was the basis for God making the promise to Abraham. The purpose was so that he might give it according to grace. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

so that the promise may rest on grace (English Standard Version)
-or-
and the purpose is that the promise may rest on grace

This purpose has become true already. In some languages it must be translated as result for the correct meaning. For example:

so that the promise rests on grace

may rest on grace: The Greek is literally “(it may be) according to grace.” God promised to give Abraham and his descendants the world because he wanted to, not because he needed to. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

it will be based on his grace
-or-
it would be clear that his grace…is the origin, not their own deeds
-or-
this might be possible by means of his kindness
-or-
It is given as a free gift (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
it can be a gift (God’s Word)

grace: Here the word grace indicates that God did something kind. He wants to help people. People do not deserve this help. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

as a free gift (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
his great kindness (Contemporary English Version)

4:16c

and: Here the word and indicates that 4:16c expresses a second purpose (after the first one in 4:16b). In some languages it is more clear to introduce the clause again. For example:

and ⌊in order that it⌋

guaranteed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as guaranteed means “valid, sure, legally secure.” God will certainly give the world to Abraham and those who have faith like his. Here are other ways to translate this word:

secure (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
certain (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
assured (Contemporary English Version)

4:16d–e

not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham: Paul had two groups of Abraham’s spiritual children in mind, those who are of the law (Jewish believers) and those who are of the faith of Abraham (non-Jewish believers).

The phrases not only and but also emphasizes the second group. Some Jews thought that a person had to become a Jew first (by following the Law of Moses) for God to accept him or her. But Paul emphasized here that God accepts everyone who has the same faith as Abraham, even if they do not follow the law of Moses. Consider how to translate that emphasis.

4:16d

those who are of the law: The Greek is literally “the (one) of the law.” It is similar to “those who live by the law” in 4:14a. The word of indicates that this person is connected to the law of Moses. It refers to the Jews. Translate it in a similar way to the phrase in 4:14a.

This phrase refers generally to Jews. The singular emphasizes that this statement is true for each person. In some languages it is more natural to use the plural in a general reference. For example:

to the adherent of the law (English Standard Version)
-or-
people who have/possess the laws ⌊of Moses⌋

The context implies that these people also believe in God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply they do not believe. If that is true in your language, add the implied information. For example:

the adherent of the law ⌊who believes⌋
-or-
someone who has the law ⌊of Moses⌋ ⌊and believes in God⌋

4:16e

those who are of the faith of Abraham: This phrase refers to those who believe in God as Abraham did. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

anyone who lives with faith like that of Abraham (New Century Version)
-or-
all who are Abraham’s descendants because they have faith, just as he did (Contemporary English Version)

4:16f

He is the father of us all: This clause tells the reader more about Abraham. In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, consider how to translate the correct meaning. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

the father of us all: The word father is a figure of speech here, similar to its use in 4:11–12. God chose to bless the world through Abraham. That choice was based upon Abraham’s faith in God. In that way he became the father (or ancestor) for all those who later believe, because he was the first one to do so. So the meaning of father here is broader than just in terms of a father to child kind of descent.

In some languages translating father literally would imply a literal ancestor. If that is true in your language, indicate that it has a figurative meaning. For example:

⌊like⌋ the father of us all
-or-
whom ⌊God made to be thought of as⌋ the father of us all
-or-
as-if the ancestor of us all
-or-
whom we consider as father of us all ⌊in faith⌋
-or-
the spiritual father of us all (Good News Translation)

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