Romans 4:1
What does Romans 4:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 4:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 4:1 means
Paul begins by asking what Abraham, the revered ancestor of Israel, discovered “according to the flesh”—that is, by natural lineage or human effort. Did Abraham gain a righteous standing before God through what he did or through who he was by birth? The question pushes readers to test their assumptions about works, privilege, and merit. If the patriarch’s acceptance with God rested on his own achievements, that would support a works-based approach to righteousness. But if Abraham found acceptance another way, then the whole foundation shifts. Paul invites us to examine Abraham’s experience as the decisive example for understanding how anyone is truly made right with God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, hath found according to the flesh?
KJV
King James Version · 1611What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, hath found according to the flesh?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949What, then, may we say that Abraham, our father after the flesh, has got?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862What, then, shall we say Abraham our father, to have found, according to flesh?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752What shall we say then that Abraham hath found, who is our father according to the flesh?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890What shall we say then that Abraham our father according to flesh has found?
Context
This opening question follows Paul’s sweeping claim in Romans 3 that boasting is excluded and a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Now he turns to Abraham, the best possible test case for Jewish readers. Verse 1 frames the inquiry; verses 2–5 will contrast works and faith, and verse 3 will anchor the argument in Scripture’s witness about Abraham. This framework is crucial because what is true of Abraham sets the pattern for all who seek righteousness before God.
v.1This passage
v.2For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 8:33
They answered unto him, We are Abraham’s seed, and have never yet been in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
- Acts 13:26
Brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us is the word of this salvation sent forth.
- Romans 7:7
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet:
- Romans 6:1
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
- John 8:53
Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died: whom makest thou thyself?
- Luke 3:8
Bring 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.
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