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Romans 4:13

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 4:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith.
Romans 4:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision:
11and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them;
12and the father of circumcision to them who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which he had in uncircumcision.
13For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith.
14For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect:
15for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.
16For this cause [it is] of faith, that [it may be] according to grace; to the end that the promise may 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
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For the promise that he should be heir of the world, etc..] This promise is thought by some to refer to that of his being “the father of many nations”, (<011704>Genesis 17:4,5 <450417>Romans 4:17,18); by whom the Gentiles are particularly meant, who are sometimes called “the world”, and “the whole world”, or the elect of God, the believing part of the world; whether among Jews or Gentiles, who sometimes go by the name of “the world” in Scripture: but to this it may be objected, that the promise here spoken of is made to Abraham's seed, as well as to himself; by which is meant not the Messiah, who is indeed heir of the world, and all things in it, but all believers, whether Jews or Gentiles;…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For the promise, &c.--This is merely an enlargement of the foregoing reasoning, applying to the law what had just been said of circumcision. that he should be the heir of the world--or, that "all the families of the earth should be blessed in him." was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law--in virtue of obedience to the law. but through the righteousness of faith--in virtue of his simple faith in the divine promises.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For the promise ... - To show that the faith of Abraham, on which his justification depended, was not by the Law, the apostle proceeds to show that the promise concerning which his faith was so remarkably evinced was before the Law was given. If this was so, then it was an additional important consideration in opposition to the Jew, showing that acceptance with God depended on faith, and not on works. That he should be heir of the world - An heir is one who succeeds, or is to succeed to an estate. In this passage, the world, or the entire earth, is regarded as the estate to which reference is made, and the promise is that the posterity of Abraham should succeed to that, or should possess it…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The promise, that he should be the heir of the world - Is the same as that he should be "the father of all nations," namely, of those in all nations who receive the blessing. The whole world was promised to him and them conjointly. Christ is the heir of the world, and of all things; and so are all Abraham's seed, all that believe in him with the faith of Abraham Romans 4:14”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:13 the whole earth: God told Abraham that he would be the father of many nations (4:17; Gen 12:2; 13:16; 15:5; 17:4-6, 16-20; 22:17) and that he would be the means of blessing to all people (Gen 12:3; 18:18; 22:18; cp. Isa 55:3-5).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“For the: Gen 12:3, Gen 17:4, Gen 17:5, Gen 17:16, Gen 22:17, Gen 22:18, Gen 28:14, Gen 49:10; Psa 2:8, Psa 72:11 through the: Gal 3:16-18, Gal 3:29 but through: Rom 4:11 Romans 4:14”
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Related study paths

Read Romans 4 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification