A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 27 Chapter 4:13 – 15

1. Verse 13 “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.”
1. Last week we saw several things concerning Abraham.

a. According to Genesis 17 Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised and this was after his faith was accounted to him for righteousness meaning his circumcision had nothing to do with his justification.

b. His circumcision did not occur until he was 99 and it was a “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith” verse 11 not an act of justification.

c. We see in Genesis 17:11 “And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.” This is what Paul was speaking of in Romans 11 by the “a seal of the righteousness of the faith” It was a seal in the flesh between God and Abraham concerning the covenant.

d. Paul also called Abraham The father of many nations not just Israel but all nations of believers. Verse 11 “…that he might be the father of all them that believe. Or to the elect of God.

2. Genesis 17:4 “As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.”

a. “… and thou shalt be a father of many nations.” As John Gill says “by whom the Gentiles are particularly meant”

b. Gill goes on to say “who are sometimes called "the world", and "the whole world", or the elect of God, the believing part of the world; whether among Jews or Gentiles,”

2. Verse 13 “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.”
1. What was the promise?

a. I believe first of all it was His faith was counted unto him as righteousness Genesis 15:6 “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

b. Second, I believe it involved making him great, Genesis 12:2-3 “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: (3.) And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

c. Thirdly, I believe the promise included making him the forerunner of faith, all in the world that ever believed would fall under his fathership (so to speak). Genesis 18:18 “Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?” Not that he would be a Saviour or that in him would any be saved but rather those that had the same faith would also have righteousness.

2. “was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”

a. This promise was not through works but through faith.

b. In fact the law at this time did not even exist; neither did circumcision until latter in Gen. Chapter 17. Neither did baptism, or church membership, or anything else.

3. “…but through the righteousness of faith.” 2 Peter 1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (excellence):” – The righteousness of faith comes through Jesus Christ and nothing else.
2. Verse 14 “For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:”
1. Beloved it gets no simpler than this “For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void…” If righteousness comes by works there is no room for faith. Faith and works do not work together but works cancels faith.
2. Let us also remember Romans 4:4 “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.” It not only cancels faith but also grace which cancels Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” Please, Please understand what is being said here, works cancels salvation, Jesus Christ will not share His glory of redemption with our works.
3. “and the promise made of none effect:” The promise from God to Abraham and to the world of believers or the entire elect of God. It voids it all out. Galatians 3:18 “For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.”
4. The Life Application Bible Commentary says; “The expression those who live by law refers to the Jews. If living by the law makes the Jews the only heirs of God's promises, then Abraham's faith and God's promises are worthless. Why would God make a promise conditional on obedience to laws that would be given over four hundred years later? The law cannot bring blessing or righteousness.”
3. Verse 15 “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.”
1. Paul explains why, “…the law worketh wrath…” The word “wrath” here means punishment (that is the punishment of God) which is the opposite of justification. The law is a schoolmaster to show us our commendation there is nor can be any justification in the law. Romans 5:20 “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” Where there was sin, Grace topped over it, Grace had to be greater than sin to save us.
2. “for where no law is, there is no transgression.” Without law there would be no sin, sin which is a violation of God’s law is what condemns us therefore how can it also save us? 1 John 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”