Romans Chapter 4 Vs. 13

 

The Promise Realized Through Faith

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. Rom 4:13

heir of the... This refers to his being a blessing to all nations of the earth. He also will literally inherit the earth along with all those blessed with him (Psm. 37:11; Mat. 5:5; 25:34; Rev. 5:10; 22:4-5).

righteousness of faith... This promise of heir-ship did not come through the law, but by the Abrahamic covenant of faith (Rom. 4:13-16; Gen. 12:1-3).

This refers to Christ and is the essence of the covenant God made with Abraham and his descendants. The final provision of that covenant was that through Abraham’s seed, all of the world would be blessed. Paul argues that “the seed” refers specifically to Christ and that this promise really constituted the gospel. All believers, by being in Christ, become heirs of the promise.

not through the... Righteousness received from God by faith only.

Galatians 3:18 “For if the inheritance [be] of the law, [it is] no more of promise: but God gave [it] to Abraham by promise.”

We read who are saved in Galatians:

Galatians 3:7-9 “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed.” “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”

In all of this we must see the mighty hand of God working salvation for all who have the faith to receive it. Salvation is a free gift. You must reach out and take it for it to be yours.

By Faith Not The Law

The Jews also considered the Mosaic Law, a special revelation of God’s standards for human conduct, as the basis for their special standing before God. Therefore Paul turned next to it, declaring, It was not through Law (“not” is emphasized by its position at the beginning of the Gr. sentence) that Abraham and his offspring (lit., “seed”) received the promise that he would be heir of the world.

God’s promise in Gen. 12:1-3 preceded the giving of the Law by several centuries (cf. Gal. 3:17). Being “heir of the world” probably refers to “all peoples on earth” (Gen. 12:3), “all nations” (Gen. 18:18), and “all nations on earth” (Gen. 22:18), for through Abraham and his descendants all the world is blessed. He is thus their “father” and they are his heirs. These promises of blessing are given to those to whom God has imputed righteousness, and this, Paul added once again, is by faith. Believers of all ages are “Abraham’s seed,” for they enjoy the same spiritual blessing (justification) which he enjoyed (Gal. 3:29). (However, God has not abrogated His promises to Abraham about his physical, believing descendants, the regenerate nation Israel, inheriting the land [Gen. 15:18-21; 22:17]. These promises still stand; they will be fulfilled in the Millennium.)