Romans 4:13-25 – Review With Answers

 

•        Paul talks about the promise that Abraham would be “heir of the world” (in verse 13). What does Paul mean by the word “world” in this context?

–        The future eternal world, the new heavens and the new earth.

•         Romans 4:13 - It was not through 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.

•         Genesis 12:1 - The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.

•         Hebrews 11:8 - By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

 

•        Paul states that if those who live by the law are heirs, then God’s promise of blessing to Abraham and his children is worthless. Explain why a promise that “anyone who kept God’s law perfectly would inherit a blessing” is a worthless promise.

–        Because no one (except Jesus) can keep God’s law perfectly, therefore no one would ever benefit from such a promise.

 

•        Paul states that the blessings associated with the promise given to Abraham was by grace through faith  so that those blessings could be GUARANTEED (verse 16). Why would a promise from God that is based on grace (as opposed to a promise based on man’s performance) be guaranteed?

–        Because it depends on God alone, Who is faithful to deliver on ALL of His promises - unlike man, upon whom we can never depend.