Bible Strands
Romans 4:14
For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Roman believers to clarify that Abraham’s inheritance was secured by faith rather than legal observance. He addresses this distinction immediately before explaining how the law provokes wrath.
The words — κληρονόμοι (klēronomoi) means heirs, and κεκένωται (kekenōtai) means has been made void. The text states that if those under the law are heirs, faith is rendered void and the promise becomes worthless.
The thread — This argument runs in Galatians 3:18, which notes that inheritance cannot depend on the law if it was granted by promise. It also aligns with Philippians 3:9 and Hebrews 7:19 regarding the insufficiency of the law for righteousness and perfection.
Why it lands — The passage declares that grounding inheritance in legal observance nullifies faith and voids God’s promise. It asks a reader to abandon reliance on the law to preserve the promise and receive the inheritance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Cross-references
- Galatians 3:18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.
- Philippians 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.
- Hebrews 7:19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
- Isaiah 55:11 so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.
- Romans 3:31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.
- Romans 4:16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
- Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.
- Hebrews 7:28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
- Numbers 30:12 But if her husband nullifies them on the day he hears of them, then nothing that came from her lips, whether her vows or pledges, shall stand. Her husband has nullified them, and the LORD will absolve her.
- Numbers 30:15 But if he nullifies them after he hears of them, then he will bear her iniquity.”