Rom 4:16-17 | RWP | e4.org | Of faith ( εκ πιστεως ). As the source. According to grace ( κατα χαριν ). As the pattern. To the end that ( εις το εινα ). Purpose again as in . Sure ( βεβαιαν ). Stable, fast, firm. Old adjective from βαινω , to walk. Not to that only which is of the law ( ου τω εκ του νομου μονον ). Another instance where μονον (see verse ) seems in the wrong place. Normally the order would be, ου μονον τω εκ του νομου, αλλα κα κτλ .

‏ Romans 4:16-17

Of faith ( εκ πιστεως ). As the source.

According to grace ( κατα χαριν ). As the pattern.

To the end that ( εις το εινα ). Purpose again as in 11.

Sure ( βεβαιαν ). Stable, fast, firm. Old adjective from βαινω, to walk.

Not to that only which is of the law ( ου τω εκ του νομου μονον ). Another instance where μονον (see verse 12) seems in the wrong place. Normally the order would be, ου μονον τω εκ του νομου, αλλα κα κτλ.

A father of many nations ( πατερα πολλων εθνων ). Quotation from Ge 17:5. Only true in the sense of spiritual children as already explained, father of believers in God.

Before him whom he believed even God ( κατεναντ ου επιστευσεν θεου ). Incorporation of antecedent into the relative clause and attraction of the relative ω into ου. See Mr 11:2 for κατεναντ, "right in front of."

Calleth the things that are not as though they were ( καλουντος τα μη οντα ως οντα ). "Summons the non-existing as existing." Abraham's body was old and decrepit. God rejuvenated him and Sarah (Heb 11:19).