Romans 4:13: For The Promise To Abraham And His Offspring That He Would Be Heir Of The World

Romans 4:13
[13] 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. (ESV)

God made a promise to Abraham. He told him that he would be the father of many nations. When Abraham's wife was told that she would be the mother of a child she laughed out loud. She was an old woman! God's promise came true and Abraham became the father of the Jewish nation and as Paul describes him is that he would be the heir of the world. Impressive.

Let's look more closely at this promise that involves Abraham and his offspring. God told Abraham in Genesis 12:3: "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Did this promise of destiny come to Abraham because he was a keeper of the Law? No! The Law had not even been given yet.

The promise to Abraham came through the righteousness that is by faith. This is not only true for Abraham, but for his offspring. Who is the offspring of Abraham? Paul is referring to none other than Jesus Christ himself. Jesus is the offspring of the line of Abraham. God promised him to the world as the fulfiller of the promise that all nations would be blessed.

Abraham received the righteousness of God by faith, not by keeping the Law. The same is true for all who follow Abraham. All of us are made righteous by faith. Our faith is in the offspring of Abraham, God made flesh, Jesus Christ. Through him all people from every nation will be blessed who place their faith in Him.

God keeps his promises. His promise of righteousness by faith was for Abraham, the Jewish people, and all people of every nation. That means you. Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ? You can receive his righteousness today.