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

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this important passage from Romans 4:2 together. It’s a really significant statement about faith and God’s promise. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that Abraham's justification (being declared right with God) wasn’t based on doing good things or earning God’s favor through our own efforts. Instead, it was based on God’s promise to Abraham – a promise he made long ago. Let’s unpack it further: “For if Abraham were justified by works…” This means that Abraham was declared right with God because of something he did . He took a brave step, believing in God's promises, and he acted in a way that showed his faith. “…he hath to glory…” This is the tricky part. "Glory" usually means praise or recognition. But here, it’s not about our glory – it’s about God’s glory. It means that Abraham's actions were a way for God to show His love and power through him. “But not before God.” This is the crucial part! God promised Abraham he would be blessed and have a great family. The verse says that God’s promise was more important than any act of good work Abraham did. It wasn't about earning our own praise; it was about God fulfilling His promises to us. In a nutshell: Abraham’s justification came from God’s love and plan, not from what we do. He’s a key figure in the story of faith – he believed enough to take a risk and God kept his promise! Why is this important? This verse speaks about the importance of: Faith: It highlights that true faith isn't just about doing good; it's about believing in something bigger than ourselves. God’s Promise: It emphasizes that God always keeps his promises, even to those who don't earn them through their own efforts. Do you want me to explain any of this further? For example, I could go into more detail about the context of Abraham's story or the significance of this verse in the grand scheme of Scripture.

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

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Romans 4:20 together. It’s a really powerful and important passage about faith! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse says that even when faced with something difficult or uncertain, God’s promises are strong enough to inspire us to believe. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “He staggered not at the promise of God…” – This is a bit tricky. “Staggered” means to be confused, hesitant, or even surprised. It suggests that the promise wasn’t easy to understand. “…through unbelief…” – Unbelief is when we don't believe in something. It's doubting or refusing to trust. "...but was strong in faith..." - This is the key part! “Strong” means resilient, determined, and capable. “Faith” here refers to a deep, unwavering belief in God’s promises. “…giving glory to God…” – This means that because we believed, we were willing to praise and thank God for what He has promised us. So, the whole verse is saying: It's okay when things don’t make sense or seem impossible. When we believe in something, even when it's difficult, we can be filled with a strong and grateful spirit – we give glory to God because of our faith! Think of it like this: Imagine you’re trying to build a really tall tower out of LEGO bricks. You might get frustrated sometimes, but if you keep believing in the idea of building something great, even if it seems impossible, you'll have the strength and motivation to keep going. In short, Romans 4:20 is about the power of faith to overcome challenges and to show gratitude to God. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Talk more specifically about what this verse means in a particular context (like its historical background)?

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

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Romans 4:21. It's a really important and powerful statement about faith and God’s promise! Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: Basically, it means: “Because I was fully convinced that what he promised me would come true, I was able to act on that promise.” Let’s unpack that a little further: “Being fully persuaded…” – This is key. It's not just a casual belief; it’s a deep and confident understanding. He wasn’t just thinking about it, he truly believed it. “…that he had promised…” - He was focused on a specific promise that God made to him. “…he was able also to perform.” – This is the crucial part. “Perform” means to take action, to fulfill what has been promised. He wasn't just believing ; he was actively working towards it. The Context – Why this is significant: This verse comes after a section of Paul’s letter where he’s talking about his own situation and how God worked through him. It’s a powerful statement about the power of faith and God's promises. It suggests that faith isn’t just about believing something ; it’s about actively working towards what you believe. In short, it tells us that when we truly believe in something, we have the strength and ability to bring it into reality. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of this verse in more detail? (e.g., its connection to faith, or how it relates to God’s promises?) Give you an example of how this principle applies to your life?

Definition: And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this important verse from Romans 4:22: “And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.” Here's a simplified explanation: What it means: This verse is saying that God accepts and recognizes someone as righteous – worthy of praise and love – based on something they did or were. It’s essentially saying, "God accepts this person as right with him." Let’s unpack it further: Imputed: This word is a bit tricky, but it means “assigned” or “given.” Think of it like putting a label on someone – they’re not inherently good, but God gives them a special "mark" of righteousness. For righteousness: This is the key part. Righteousness means being morally good and pleasing to God. It's about living according to his laws and will. So, putting it all together: The verse says that because someone did something or was something (like Abraham), God accepts them as right with him – they are deemed righteous enough to be in a special relationship with Him. It's not about their inherent goodness; it’s about God’s judgment of them based on that action. The Context: This verse is important because it explains how salvation (being saved from sin and death) happened through Abraham, who was considered righteous by God even though he wasn’t a perfect man. It shows that God’s grace – his favor and love – isn't just given to us but also to those who fulfill the requirements of righteousness. In short, it means God is forgiving and accepting someone based on their actions, making them worthy of eternal life. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you a little more context about this passage? Answer any specific questions you have about the meaning of this verse?

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

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that verse from Romans 4:23. It’s a really important and often-misunderstood part of the Bible. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God didn’t make this imputation (that's a big word – it means being declared righteous) solely for his own benefit. It wasn’t about him getting a reward or favor. Instead, it was done because of something much bigger: God’s love and generosity. Let’s unpack it: “It was not written for his sake alone…” – This means that this act of imputation wasn't just a gift to him. It was a gift from him to us, to humanity! Think of it like a generous parent giving a child something wonderful. “…that it was imputed to him” - “Imputed” means being declared or given a special status. In this case, God is declaring that we , as humans, are righteous enough to be saved. So, what does this mean for us? It means: We’re not automatically right. Good deeds and moral behavior are important, but they don't earn our righteousness in the eyes of God. God chooses us. He loves us so much that he offers us a chance to be saved through faith (trusting in Jesus). We receive forgiveness and salvation. Because of this, we can have a relationship with God, experience his grace, and ultimately enter into eternal life. In short, it’s a powerful statement about God's love and the way he chooses to offer us salvation. Why is this verse important? It’s a foundational concept in Christianity. It emphasizes that our righteousness comes from God, not from anything we do. It's a crucial reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice as the key to our salvation. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you more context about what this verse means within the larger story of Scripture?

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

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Romans 4:24. It’s a really important and comforting statement about salvation. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says: “Even for those of us who don’t have good works or a perfect record, if we believe in Jesus, He raised from the dead, then we are included in God’s plan for salvation.” Let’s unpack that a little further: “But for us also…” – This phrase sets up a special situation. It's not just about everyone; it’s specifically about those who don’t have good works or a perfect record. Think of it like this: It’s about those who aren't actively striving to be righteous or good. “to whom it shall be imputed…” – “Imputed” means ‘added’ or ‘given’. This refers to being included in God’s plan for salvation. It's a kind of special favor or blessing. “if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.” – This is the core of the message. It means: "If you believe in Jesus, He conquered death and offers forgiveness to those who are lost." Jesus was raised from the dead: This is a crucial part. It’s a significant event that shows God's power over sin and death. “raised up” - This is a key phrase signifying victory over our old, sinful nature. In short, this verse emphasizes that salvation isn’t just for those who are truly righteous. It’s available to anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, regardless of their past mistakes or good deeds. It's about the hope of eternal life and forgiveness through faith in Jesus. Why is this important? It’s a powerful message of grace – that God offers everyone a chance to be saved. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some context about why this verse is significant?

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

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this important verse from Romans 4:25 together. It’s a really powerful statement about God's plan for us. Here's what it means in simple terms: Basically, it says: God delivered (saved) someone – specifically Abraham – for our sins. And then, through his faith, he brought him back to life after he was seemingly defeated and even killed. Let’s unpack that a little further: “Who was delivered for our offences…” This means God took the blame for our mistakes. We are all prone to sin – we mess up, we do wrong, we hurt others. God sees us as needing forgiveness. “…and was raised again for our justification.” This is the key part. God didn’t just let Abraham die; he re-created him. He gave him a new life through faith in him. "Justification" means being declared righteous, worthy of God's love and forgiveness, because of what he did. Think of it this way: It’s like someone who is severely injured gets a second chance at life – they get to heal and start over. God, through Abraham and his faith, is offering us that chance. The Significance: This verse is one of the foundational stories in Christianity. It shows God's love, forgiveness, and unwavering commitment to saving humanity. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to face our own failures alone – God is always working to bring us back into right relationship with Him. Resources if you want to learn more: Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/romans-4:25](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/romans-4:25) - This provides a detailed look at the verse in context. GotQuestions.org: [https://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-4-25.html](https://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-4-25.html) - A great resource for deeper understanding and different interpretations. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in a different way? Connect it to another part of the Bible? Talk about what it means for us as believers?