Romans 4:13 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God's promise that Abraham would inherit the world came through the righteousness of faith, not through keeping the law.
What Does Romans 4:13 Mean?
Paul now connects faith to inheritance. God promised Abraham and his descendants that they would be heirs of the world, a sweeping pledge of blessing that would reach far beyond one family or land. The question is how that promise comes: by law-keeping, or by faith.
Paul answers that it came through the righteousness of faith. The law was not even given until centuries later, so the promise could not have rested on it. From the beginning God's way of blessing has run through trust in Him. This frees the promise from being a reward for performance and roots it in God's gracious word. What He pledges, He gives to faith, and the inheritance He holds out is vast beyond reckoning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 4:13
What does Romans 4:13 mean?
God's promise that Abraham would inherit the world came through the righteousness of faith, not through keeping the law.