Gospel Prayer Ministry

📖 Passage

Romans 4:13–25
Read Romans 4:13–25 (NKJV)

🧠 Context & Background

Paul continues to develop the argument of Abraham as the father of faith. He contrasts the inheritance of God’s promises through law versus through faith, showing that God’s blessing is not tied to circumcision or Mosaic law, but to the righteousness imputed by faith. This text sets Abraham as the model for all believers, Jew and Gentile alike.

🌿 Key Themes

Promise by faith — The inheritance comes not by law but by God’s gracious promise.
Faith over works — Abraham believed against human odds, and God counted that as righteousness.
God’s power — Faith rests on God who brings life from death.
Christ-centered fulfillment — Abraham’s faith foreshadows our faith in Christ’s resurrection.

📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary

Romans 4:13 — Promise Through Faith, Not Law

“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.”

God’s covenant with Abraham was based on promise, not Law (which came centuries later).
“Heir of the world” points to God’s plan to bless all nations through Abraham’s seed (Genesis 12:3).
Faith, not works of the Law, is the channel of this inheritance.

Romans 4:14 — Faith Nullified by Works

“For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.”

If inheritance depended on Law-keeping, the promise would be useless.
Faith and Law cannot both be the basis of God’s covenant blessing.
Paul dismantles reliance on the Law as a means of righteousness.

Romans 4:15 — Law Brings Wrath

“For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.”

The Law exposes sin and brings judgment, not righteousness.
Transgression requires a revealed standard—the Law highlights guilt, not salvation.
God’s promise depends on grace, not the condemning power of the Law.

Romans 4:16 — Promise Guaranteed by Grace

“That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.”

Faith ensures that the promise is by grace, not merit.
Grace makes the promise certain and available to all who believe—Jew or Gentile.
Abraham becomes the father of all believers, united by faith.

Romans 4:17 — God Who Gives Life

“As it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.”

Paul quotes Genesis 17:5, highlighting God’s covenant promise.
Abraham’s faith rested in God’s power to give life to the dead (anticipating Isaac’s birth and Christ’s resurrection).
God speaks reality into existence—His word is creative and life-giving.

Romans 4:18 — Hope Against Hope

“In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, ‘So shall your offspring be.’”

Abraham believed God’s promise despite human impossibility.
“Hope against hope” means trusting God when circumstances scream otherwise.
Faith clings to God’s word over visible reality.

Romans 4:19 — Faith Amid Weakness

“He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.”

Abraham faced the facts of his and Sarah’s physical inability.
Faith does not deny reality but trusts God beyond it.
His trust in God was not shaken by human weakness.

Romans 4:20 — Strengthened in Faith

“No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God.”

Abraham’s faith was not perfect but persevering—he grew stronger as he trusted.
Giving glory to God is central to true faith—it magnifies His power, not human strength.
Faith matures through trial and worship.

Romans 4:21 — Fully Convinced of God’s Power

“Fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.”

True faith rests in God’s ability, not human possibility.
Conviction is rooted in the character of God, who cannot lie.
Faith is assurance in the God who keeps promises.

Romans 4:22 — Righteousness Counted by Faith

“That is why his faith was ‘counted to him as righteousness.’”

Abraham’s trust was credited as righteousness before God.
Justification has always been by faith, not works.
His example stands as the pattern for all believers.

Romans 4:23–24 — Written for Our Sake

“But the words ‘it was counted to him’ were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord…”

Abraham’s story was recorded to teach the principle of justification for all who believe.
Faith today is anchored in the God who raised Jesus from the dead.
The resurrection proves God’s faithfulness to His promises.

Romans 4:25 — Christ’s Death and Resurrection

“Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”

Christ’s death was substitutionary—He bore the penalty for our sins.
His resurrection confirms the accomplishment of justification.
Salvation rests on both the cross and the empty tomb.

🔍 Trusted Insight

RC Sproul explains that Abraham’s faith is exemplary not because it was perfect, but because it was placed in the perfect object of faith — God Himself. He notes that true faith rests on God’s power and promise, not on human ability. This is why Paul links Abraham’s belief in God’s life-giving power to our faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Summary: Abraham’s faith in God’s promise becomes the model for Christian faith, resting on the death and resurrection of Christ.

🧩 Review Questions

🌎 Worldviews

Biblical worldview — God’s promise to Abraham (to inherit the world) came through faith, not the Law. Faith rests on grace, so the promise is secure for all who believe — Jew or Gentile. Abraham believed God against all odds, trusting Him to bring life out of death. This shows that righteousness is credited not by works but by believing in the God who raised Jesus from the dead.
Today’s worldview
- “Blessings are earned” — Many assume spiritual inheritance comes by merit, effort, or keeping rules. Paul says the promise depends on grace, not law (Romans 4:16).
- “Faith is believing in yourself” — Modern culture treats faith as self-confidence. Paul shows faith is trusting God who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence (Romans 4:17).
- “Hope is wishful thinking” — Today hope often means vague optimism. Abraham’s faith was anchored in God’s unchanging word, even when circumstances looked hopeless (Romans 4:18–21).
- “Truth is subjective” — Many think sincerity makes belief valid, no matter the object. Paul insists it’s not the strength of faith that saves, but the object of faith — the God who raised Jesus (Romans 4:24–25).

🙋 Application Questions

What promises of God are you tempted to doubt, and how does Abraham’s faith encourage you?
How does believing in Christ’s resurrection strengthen your assurance of salvation?
What would it look like to give glory to God by trusting Him despite weakness or difficulty?

🔤 Greek Keywords

Logizomai (“counted”) — To reckon, credit, or impute righteousness.
Epangelia (“promise”) — A divine assurance of blessing, rooted in God’s faithfulness.
Pistis (“faith”) — Trust, reliance, confident belief in God’s word and character.

📚 Cross References

Genesis 15:6 — Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.
Galatians 3:6–9 — Those of faith are blessed with Abraham.
Hebrews 11:11–12 — Sarah conceived by faith, highlighting God’s power.
2 Corinthians 1:20 — All the promises of God find their Yes in Christ.
1 Peter 1:21 — Faith and hope are in God who raised Jesus from the dead.

📦 Next Study

Next Study → Romans 5:1–11

Romans 4:13-25 - The Promise Realized Through Faith