For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Parallel translations
- WEB For the promise to Abraham and to his offspring that he should be heir of the world wasn’t through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
- KJV 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.
- BSB For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.
- NASB For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.
- NLT Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God's promise that Abraham would inherit the world came through the righteousness of faith, not the law. The inheritance is granted to faith.
Overview
Paul argues that the great promise to Abraham and his offspring was secured 'through the righteousness of faith,' not through law-keeping, which came centuries later. The promised inheritance, ultimately fulfilled in Christ and his people, belongs to those who believe. This keeps the basis of salvation firmly on grace received by faith.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Gal 3:29If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise.
- Gen 28:14Your offspring will be as the dust of the earth, and you will spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south. In you and in your offspring will all the families of the earth be blessed.
- Gen 22:17–18that I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your offspring greatly like the stars of the heavens, and like the sand which is on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the gate of his enemies.
- Rom 9:8That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as heirs.
- Ps 2:8Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
- Gen 17:4–6“As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations.
- Gal 3:16–18Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his offspring. He doesn’t say, “To descendants ”, as of many, but as of one, “To your offspring ”, which is Christ.
- Gen 17:16I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. Yes, I will bless her, and she will be a mother of nations. Kings of peoples will come from her.”
- Gen 12:3I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”
- Gen 49:10The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs. To him will the obedience of the peoples be.
- Ps 72:11Yes, all kings shall fall down before him. All nations shall serve him.
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 4:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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