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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Romans 4:13–15

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

15 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 13

  1. Galatians 3:29Rank 1 from verse 13
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    29And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

  2. Genesis 28:14Rank 2 from verse 13
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    14And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

  3. Genesis 22:17–18Rank 3 from verse 13
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    17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

    18And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

  4. Romans 9:8Rank 4 from verse 13
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    8That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

  5. Psalms 2:8Rank 5 from verse 13
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    8Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

From verse 14

  1. Galatians 3:18–24Rank 1 from verse 14
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    18For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

    19Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

    20Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

    21Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

    22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

    23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

    24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

  2. Hebrews 7:19Rank 2 from verse 14
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    19For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

  3. Philippians 3:9Rank 3 from verse 14
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    9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

  4. Galatians 2:21Rank 4 from verse 14
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    21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

  5. Hebrews 7:28Rank 5 from verse 14
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    28For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

From verse 15

  1. Romans 5:13Rank 1 from verse 15
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    13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

  2. Galatians 3:10Rank 2 from verse 15
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    10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

  3. 1 Corinthians 15:56Rank 3 from verse 15
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    56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

  4. Romans 3:19–20Rank 4 from verse 15
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    19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

    20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

  5. Romans 7:7–25Rank 5 from verse 15
    Open

    7What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

    8But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

    9For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

    10And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

    11For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

    12Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

    13Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

    14For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

    15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

    16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

    17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

    18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

    19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

    20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

    21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

    22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

    23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

    24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

    25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 4:13

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

promise

↗

Sense 1: An assurance or pledge that something will be done or given. Sense 2: That which is promised. Sense 3: To give such an assurance or pledge.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

should

↗

A verb expressing duty, propriety, expectation, intention, purpose, condition, appointed outcome, or a future event viewed from another time or statement.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

heir

↗

One entitled or appointed to receive an inheritance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

Abraham

↗

The patriarch formerly named Abram, whom God appointed to be a father of many nations.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

seed

↗

Sense 1: The reproductive substance of a plant or creature, especially what is sown to produce after its kind. Sense 2: Offspring, descendants, or lineage. Sense 3: A beginning, source, or thing sown that produces a result.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

faith

↗

Sense 1: The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen; trust, confidence, belief, persuasion, or reliance. Sense 2: Faithfulness, fidelity, or trustworthiness. Sense 3: The revealed truth or gospel believed and kept.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 4:14

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

faith

↗

Sense 1: The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen; trust, confidence, belief, persuasion, or reliance. Sense 2: Faithfulness, fidelity, or trustworthiness. Sense 3: The revealed truth or gospel believed and kept.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

made

↗

Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

void

↗

Empty, unfilled, unoccupied, lacking something, invalid, cancelled, or without effect.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

promise

↗

Sense 1: An assurance or pledge that something will be done or given. Sense 2: That which is promised. Sense 3: To give such an assurance or pledge.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

effect

↗

Sense 1: A result, force, or accomplished outcome. Sense 2: To bring something to pass.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 4:15

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

worketh

↗

Third-person singular present form of work, meaning to labour, act, operate, perform, make, produce, accomplish, or bring about.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wrath

↗

Fierce anger, indignation, displeasure, rage, or the punitive judgment and destructive action that proceed from it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

transgression

↗

The act of passing beyond or violating a law, command, or rule of duty; an offense, fault, or sin.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Suggested context · Romans 4:1–25

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Read all 25 verses in Romans 4:1–25

4:1WHAT shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

4:2For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

4:3For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4:4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

4:5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

4:6Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

4:7Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

4:8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

4:9Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

4:10How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

4:11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

4:12And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

4:13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Selected passage

4:14For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Selected passage

4:15Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Selected passage

4:16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might 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,

4:17(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

4:18Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

4:19And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:

4:20He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

4:21And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

4:22And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

4:23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

4:24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

4:25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

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