How does Romans 4:13 connect with Genesis 15:6 about righteousness through faith? Setting the Stage: Promise versus Law Romans 4 unfolds a contrast between two approaches to God’s favor: earning it by keeping the law, or receiving it by trusting God’s promise. Paul states that Abraham’s inheritance of “the world” was secured not by obedience to legal codes (which were given centuries later through Moses) but by the righteousness God credited to him when he believed. Romans 4:13 in Focus “For 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.” Key ideas • The promise precedes the law • The inheritance involves more than land—it anticipates worldwide blessing (cf. Genesis 12:3) • Righteousness is imputed, not earned Looking Back to Genesis 15:6 “Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” God took Abram outside, pointed to the star-strewn sky, and pledged descendants as innumerable as the heavens. Abram responded with simple, God-honoring trust, and that faith was counted to him as righteousness—long before circumcision (Genesis 17) or Sinai’s commandments (Exodus 20). Interlocking Truths: How the Verses Connect • Same subject—Abraham: Genesis records the event, Romans interprets it. • Same action—believed: Abram’s faith, not works, is highlighted in both passages. • Same result—credited righteousness: God legally counts belief as righteousness. • Same scope—worldwide blessing: Paul sees Genesis’ “offspring” promise ultimately extending to all believers (Romans 4:16-17; Galatians 3:29). • Same method—grace: Promise language in Genesis and Romans underscores God’s initiative, not human merit. Faith, Not Law: Paul’s Driving Point • The law reveals sin (Romans 3:20) but cannot impart righteousness. • Abraham’s timeline proves righteousness was always by faith. • The promise is secure precisely because it rests on grace; law-dependence would make the promise uncertain due to human failure (Romans 4:14-16). Supporting Passages • Romans 4:3—Paul quotes Genesis verbatim to anchor his argument. • Galatians 3:6-9—Paul again appeals to Abraham as the prototype of justification by faith for Jew and Gentile alike. • Hebrews 11:8-12—Abraham’s faith portrayed as forward-looking, embracing promises not yet seen. • Ephesians 2:8-9—Salvation by grace through faith, “not from works, so that no one may boast.” Practical Takeaways for Today • God keeps His promises independent of our performance, inviting rest rather than striving. • Righteousness is a gift credited to believers the moment they trust Christ, just as it was to Abraham. • The global scope of the promise urges a heart for all nations, reflecting God’s mission to bless the world through Abraham’s Seed—Jesus (Galatians 3:16). • Standing on grace fosters humility and gratitude, dismantling any grounds for boasting in religious achievement. |
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