STUDIES IN ROMANS

LESSON 17

FAITH = THE PROMISE – PART 2

Romans 4:13-17 (KJV)

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. ¹⁴ For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: ¹⁵ Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. ¹⁶ Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, ¹⁷ (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Romans 4:13-17 (CEB)

¹³ The promise to Abraham and to his descendants, that he would inherit the world, didn’t come through the Law but through the righteousness that comes from faith. ¹⁴ If they inherit because of the Law, then faith has no effect and the promise has been canceled. ¹⁵ The Law brings about wrath. But when there isn’t any law, there isn’t any violation of the law. ¹⁶ That’s why the inheritance comes through faith, so that it will be on the basis of God’s grace. In that way, the promise is secure for all of Abraham’s descendants, not just for those who are related by Law but also for those who are related by the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us. ¹⁷ As it is written: I have appointed you to be the father of many nations.^[a] So Abraham is our father in the eyes of God in whom he had faith, the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that don’t exist into existence.

1.    THE PROMISE v.13-15

Ø  Not through the Law

Ø  Through the righteousness of faith

Ø  If law made us heirs, there is no effective promise

Ø  Why? The Law brings us to wrath (anger against God & man because we can’t live up to the law and so it is hopeless)

Ø  Therefore it is through faith by grace we receive the inheritance (promise)

2.    WHO IS THE PROMISE FOR? V.16

Ø  Abraham’s descendants

Ø  Those who have faith like Abraham (us)

3.    ABOUT GOD v.17

Ø  He raises the dead

Ø  Calls things that don’t exist into existence 2 Corinthians 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

THE PROMISE BRINGS US THE RESULTS OF FAITH – WHAT GOD PROMISED HE IS ABLE TO PERFORM!