◄ Romans 4:13 ►
Parallel Verses
New International Version
It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

English Standard Version
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.

New American Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

International Standard Version
For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the Law, but through the righteousness produced by faith.

American Standard Version
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 righteousness of faith.

Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Darby Bible Translation
For it was not by law that the promise was to Abraham, or to his seed, that he should be heir of the world, but by righteousness of faith.

Young's Literal Translation
For not through law is the promise to Abraham, or to his seed, of his being heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith;

Cross References
Genesis 17:4
As for me, behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations.

Genesis 22:17
That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is on the sea shore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Acts 13:32
And we declare to you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made to the fathers,

Romans 4:12
And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

Romans 9:8
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Galatians 3:16
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He said not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to your seed, which is Christ.

Galatians 3:29
And if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Hebrews 7:6
But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

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Commentaries
Matthew Henry's Commentary
4:13-22 The promise was made to Abraham long before the law. It points at Christ, and it refers to the promise, Ge 12:3. In Thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. The law worketh wrath, by showing that every transgressor is exposed to the Divine displeasure. As God intended to give men a title to the promised blessings, so he appointed it to be by faith, that it might be wholly of grace, to make it sure to all who were of the like precious faith with Abraham, whether Jews or Gentiles, in all ages. The justification and salvation of sinners, the taking to himself the Gentiles who had not been a people, were a gracious calling of things which are not, as though they were; and this giving a being to things that were not, proves the almighty power of God. The nature and power of Abraham's faith are shown. He believed God's testimony, and looked for the performance of his promise, firmly hoping when the case seemed hopeless. It is weakness of faith, that makes a man lie poring on the difficulties in the way of a promise. Abraham took it not for a point that would admit of argument or debate. Unbelief is at the bottom of all our staggerings at God's promises. The strength of faith appeared in its victory over fears. God honours faith; and great faith honours God. It was imputed to him for righteousness. Faith is a grace that of all others gives glory to God. Faith clearly is the instrument by which we receive the righteousness of God, the redemption which is by Christ; and that which is the instrument whereby we take or receive it, cannot be the thing itself, nor can it be the gift thereby taken and received. Abraham's faith did not justify him by its own merit or value, but as giving him a part in Christ.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
13-15. For the promise, &c.—This is merely an enlargement of the foregoing reasoning, applying to the law what had just been said of circumcision.

that he should be the heir of the world—or, that "all the families of the earth should be blessed in him."

was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law—in virtue of obedience to the law.

but through the righteousness of faith—in virtue of his simple faith in the divine promises.

Romans 4:12
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