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Romans 04 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULB does this with the poetry in 4:7-8, which are words from the OT.
Special concepts in this chapter
The purpose of the law of Moses
Paul builds upon material from chapter 3 and explains how Abraham, the father of Israel, was justified. Obedience cannot justify a person, even the great Abraham. Obeying the law of Moses does not justify a person, it is a way a person displays their faith in God. It is faith which has always justified a person. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/justify, rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses and rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith)
Circumcision
Circumcision was important to the Israelites. It identified a person as a descendant of Abraham and was a sign of the covenant between Abraham and Yahweh. Paul explains that one of the reasons for circumcision was to display the Israelite's faith. The practice of circumcision itself was not able to justify anyone. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/circumcise and rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/covenant)
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Rhetorical Questions
These are frequently used in this chapter. It appears the intent of these rhetorical questions is to make the reader feel guilty, or to convict them of their sin and ultimately bring them to faith in Jesus. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion, rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/guilt and rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin)