Romans 4:15
What does Romans 4:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 4:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 4:15 means
The law works wrath because it defines and exposes transgression; it turns sin into a chargeable offense. Where there is no law, sin is not counted as transgression in the same way. Therefore, if inheritance depended on law, it would inevitably result in condemnation rather than fulfillment. The law’s proper function is to reveal guilt, not to convey righteousness. This is why God did not attach the promise to the law. He attached it to faith, so that the promise might be realized as grace rather than as a verdict of wrath. The law uncovers our need; faith receives God’s provision.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For the outcome of the law is wrath; but where there is no law it will not be broken.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for the law doth work wrath; for where law is not, neither <FI>is<Fi> transgression.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For the law worketh wrath. For where there is no law, neither is there transgression.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For law works wrath; but where no law is neither [is there] transgression.
Context
Paul explains the logic behind verse 14: law cannot be the basis of inheritance because it produces wrath by defining transgression. This paves the way for the gospel alternative in verse 16—faith according to grace. The argument is building toward assurance: only a faith-based, grace-grounded promise can be sure and inclusive for all Abraham’s seed, Jew and Gentile alike.
v.14For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect:
v.15This passage
v.16For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace; to the end that the promise may 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
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 3:7
But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory was passing away:
- Galatians 3:19
What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
- 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:
- Revelation 6:16
and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
- 1 John 3:4
Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
- 2 Kings 22:13
Go ye, inquire of Jehovah for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found; for great is the wrath of Jehovah that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.
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