Romans 4:14

12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father ^aAbraham had while still uncircumcised.

The Promise Granted Through Faith

13 For the promise that he would be the ^aheir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14 For ^aif those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect,

15 because ^athe law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be ^aaccording to grace, ^bso that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, ^cwho is the father of us all

17 (as it is written, ^a“I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, ^bwho gives life to the dead and calls those ^cthings which do not exist as though they did;

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?

<< Romans 4:13

Romans 4:15 >>

What Does Romans 4:14 Mean?

Romans 4:13-17

The promises to Abraham include that he would be heir of the world. Jesus Christ confirmed those promises and became Heir of them. "And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:29)! From the time of Abraham, God has been working to establish, preserve, and expand Abraham's family and fulfill His purpose.

John W. Ritenbaugh
God's Promises Are Sure!

Romans 4:13-16

God justifies us. He does it freely. One of His purposes for doing so is that the promises may be sure.

The Jews have a saying, "How can a man enter into a right relationship with God so that he, too, may inherit the promises?" They understood the promises were made to Abraham and to his seed. They wanted to be able to participate in it, so they posed this question. Their answer: "He must do so by acquiring merit in the sight of God through doing good works, which the law prescribes." That is to say, by one's own effort.

However, as Paul describes here, justification through works, if it were even possible, would destroy the promises of God because no man can keep the law fully! If nobody can keep the law, because the giving of the promises depends on keeping the law, then God cannot give the promises. No one would ever qualify.

So God, wanting to ensure that the promises are given, justifies a person of His own free will. He blesses us, so that we can qualify to receive the promises on the basis of His grace. We had better be glad He does it this way, or we could never be co-inheritors of what Abraham is promised.

John W. Ritenbaugh
Grace Upon Grace

Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Romans 4:14:

Galatians 4:22
Galatians 4:24

<< Romans 4:13

Romans 4:15 >>

Join 137,098+ readers

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning

Consistent Bible study is hard to start.

The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.

Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.

The Promise Granted Through Faith

What Does Romans 4:14 Mean?

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning