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Verse Takeaways
1
Promise Before Law
Commentators unanimously emphasize a critical timeline: God's promise to Abraham was made about 400 years before the Law was given to Moses. This historical fact is central to Paul's argument. It proves that God's plan of salvation has always been based on faith, not on adherence to a legal code that didn't even exist when the foundational promise was made.
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Romans
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Commentaries
10
Albert Barnes
On Romans 4:13
18th Century
Theologian
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 …
AT Robertson
On Romans 4:13
That he should be the heir of the world (το κληρονομον αυτον εινα κοσμου). The articular infinitive (το εινα) with the accusative …
Charles Ellicott
On Romans 4:13
19th Century
Bishop
Abraham was the father of all who walk in his steps. For this all is not limited by the Law any more than it is limited by circum…
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Charles Spurgeon
On Romans 4:13
19th Century
Preacher
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…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Romans 4:13
The thought moves on to consider that Abraham’s justification was apart from any law or legal considerations. Paul speaks of a promise received by …
John Calvin
On Romans 4:13
16th Century
Theologian
For the promise, etc. He now more clearly sets the law and faith in opposition to each other, which he had previously done to some extent;…
John Gill
On Romans 4:13
17th Century
Pastor
For the promise that he should be heir of the world
This promise is thought by some to refer to that of his being "t…
Matthew Henry
On Romans 4:13–22
17th Century
Minister
The promise was made to Abraham long before the law. It points to Christ, and it refers to the promise in Genesis 12:3: In Thee shall all famil…