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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The promise of inheriting "the world" wasn't a reward for following rules, but a gift received through believing God, even before the Law existed. This highlights that God's promises are rooted in faith, not human achievement or religious observance.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is arguing that Abraham's righteousness, and the promises that followed, were not based on following the law but on his faith. He emphasizes that the promise of inheriting the world was given to Abraham and his descendants before the Law of Moses even existed, and that relying on the Law would actually invalidate both faith and the promise itself.
Abraham was promised to be an heir of the world. What does that even mean? It's a promise so vast it stretches from the beginning of time to eternity.
The promise given to Abraham wasn't just about a piece of land or a large family. It was about inheriting 'the world.' This concept, especially when linked to Abraham's 'seed' (which ultimately points to Christ and all believers), speaks to a universal dominion and blessing. It encompasses both earthly and heavenly realms, a future inheritance secured through Christ.
Paul contrasts two paths to receiving God's promises: the law and faith. One leads to wrath, the other to a life-giving righteousness.
This verse sharply distinguishes between the path of law and the path of faith. The law, by revealing God's perfect standard, highlights human sinfulness and leads to condemnation ('wrath'). It cannot procure the promise because fallen humanity cannot perfectly keep it. In contrast, the 'righteousness of faith' is God's provision, a righteousness credited to those who trust Him. It's through this divinely given righteousness, not human effort under the law, that the promise is secured.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
epaggelia · Greek Noun
The promise or declaration made by God to Abraham and his descendants regarding the blessing of all nations, fulfilled ultimately in Christ and the New Covenant.
nomos · Greek Noun
The revelation of God’s will, specifically the Mosaic Law, which serves as a moral standard but highlights human inability to attain righteousness by works.
klēronomos · Greek Noun
One who inherits; biblically, this refers to those who share in the divine blessings and the Kingdom of God by virtue of their union with Christ, the true Seed of Abraham.
The promise to Abraham wasn't tied to obeying the Mosaic Law, which came later and revealed sin. Instead, it was secured by Abraham's faith, a principle that applies to all believers, Jewish or Gentile, who inherit the world through Christ.
c. 2000 BC
God's Promise to Abraham
God makes a covenant with Abraham, promising him numerous descendants and that through his 'seed,' all nations on earth would be blessed. This promise is initially made before the Mosaic Law is given.
~1446 BC
Giving of the Mosaic Law
God gives the Ten Commandments and the Mosaic Law to the Israelites through Moses at Mount Sinai. This law governs the lives of the Israelites and establishes rituals and statutes.
~1446 BC
Abraham's Seed Inherits Canaan
Abraham's descendants, the Israelites, enter and possess the land of Canaan, a portion of the 'world' promised to them. This fulfillment is understood as a sign of the larger, ongoing promise.
c. 605 BC
First Jewish Deportation to Babylon
The first wave of Jewish exiles, including Daniel, is deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. This event marks the beginning of the period of Babylonian exile, a time when many Jews lived outside their homeland.
c. AD 30
Jesus Christ's Ministry and Resurrection
Jesus, a descendant of Abraham, fulfills the promise of blessing to all nations through his life, death, and resurrection. His resurrection demonstrates the power of God and validates his atoning work.
c. AD 50-60— this verse
Paul Writes Romans
While imprisoned or traveling, Paul writes his letter to the believers in Rome. In it, he expounds on God's plan of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, drawing heavily on the example of Abraham.
This passage directly shows Abraham believing God's promise about his numerous offspring, which is the very foundation of his justification by faith, mirroring the argument in Romans 4.
Galatians 3:16Paul makes a similar point here, explaining that the promise to Abraham and his offspring was not based on the law but on faith, highlighting that the 'seed' refers to believers in Christ.
Genesis 17:4-8This shows God reiterating His promise to Abraham, making him a father of many nations, and establishing the covenant through which his descendants, by faith, would inherit the world.
Romans 4:1-5This immediate context establishes Abraham as an example of justification by faith, not by works of the law, setting the stage for understanding the promise he received in that light.
Matthew 5:5Jesus states, 'Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,' echoing the 'heir of the world' promise and connecting it to a spiritual inheritance received through humble faith, not legalistic striving.
expositorsRomans 4:13: "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."
Chapter 11 ABRAHAM (2) Romans 4:13-25 AGAIN we approach the name of Abraham, Friend of God, Father of the Faithful. We have seen him justified by faith, personally accepted because turning altogether to the sovereign Promiser. We see him now in some of the glorious issues of that acceptance; "Heir of the world," "Father of many nat…
cambridgeRomans 4:13: "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."
13 . For the promise , &c.] Here again the Gr. order is emphatic: For not through the law came the promise, &c . that he should be the heir ] Perhaps better, namely, his being: heir , in apposition with “the promise.” The promise made him heir at once , and foretold actual possession. The Gr. word rendered “heir” sometimes means on…
The promise of inheriting "the world" wasn't a reward for following rules, but a gift received through believing God, even before the Law existed. This highlights that God's promises are rooted in faith, not human achievement or religious observance.
Paul is arguing that Abraham's righteousness, and the promises that followed, were not based on following the law but on his faith. He emphasizes that the promise of inheriting the world was given to Abraham and his descendants before the Law of Moses even existed, and that relying on the Law would actually invalidate both faith and the promise itself.
Paul is arguing that Abraham's righteousness, and the promises that followed, were not based on following the law but on his faith. He emphasizes that the promise of inheriting the world was given to Abraham and his descendants before the Law of Moses even existed, and that relying on the Law would actually invalidate both faith and the promise itself.
"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." — The promise of inheriting "the world" wasn't a reward for following rules, but a gift received through believing God, even before the Law existed. This highlights that God's promises are rooted in fa…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026