Study Desk

It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise^(m) that he would be heir of the world,⁽ⁿ⁾ but through the righteousness that comes by faith.^(o)

For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless,^(p)

because the law brings wrath.^(q) And where there is no law there is no transgression.^(r)

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace^(s) and may be guaranteed^(t) to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.^(u)

As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations."^[c](v) He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life^(w) to the dead and calls^(x) into being things that were not.^(y)

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations,^(z) just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."^[d](aa)

Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead^(ab)—since he was about a hundred years old^(ac)—and that Sarah's womb was also dead.^(ad)

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened^(ae) in his faith and gave glory to God,^(af)

being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.^(ag)

This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."^(ah)

The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone,

but also for us,^(ai) to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him^(aj) who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.^(ak)

He was delivered over to death for our sins^(al) and was raised to life for our justification.^(am)