Romans 4:13

For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed, that he should be heir of the world: but through the justice of faith.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner, 1752)

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

12And he might be the father of circumcision; not to them only that are of the circumcision, but to them also that follow the steps of the faith that is in the uncircumcision of our father Abraham.

14For if they who are of the law be heirs, faith is made void: the promise is made of no effect. Be heirs... That is, if they alone, who follow the ceremonies of thelaw, be heirs of the blessings promised to Abraham; then that faith which was so much praised in him, will be found to be of little value. And the very promise will be made void, by which he was promised to be the father, not of the Jews only, but of all nations of believers.

Read all of Romans 4

Cross References

Genesis 17:4And God said to him: I am, and my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

Genesis 22:17I will bless thee, and I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is by the sea shore; thy seed shall possess the gates of their enemies.

Genesis 49:10The sceptre shall not be taken away from Juda, nor a ruler from his thigh, till he come that is to be sent, and he shall be the expectation of nations.

Psalms 72:11And they said: How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

Galatians 3:16To Abraham were the promises made and to his seed. He saith not: And to his seeds as of many. But as of one: And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Matthew Henry on Romans 4:10-23

The Case of Abraham. ( a. d. 58.) 9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not… Read the whole commentary →

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