Study Desk

Hoping in spite of hopeless circumstances, he believed that he would become "the father of many nations,"Genesis 17:5">[fn] just as he had been told:according to what was said">[fn] "This is how many descendants you will have."Genesis 15:5">[fn]Genesis 15:5;">[xr]

He did not weaken in faith when he thought about his own body (which was alreadyalready">[fn] as good as dead now that he was about a hundred years old) or about Sarah's inability to have children,Genesis 17:17; 18:11; Hebrews 11:11-12;">[xr]

This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."Genesis 15:6">[fn]

and not all of Abraham's descendants are his true descendants. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that descendants will be named for you."Genesis 21:12">[fn]Genesis 21:12; Galatians 4:23; Hebrews 11:18;">[xr]

For this is the language of promise: "At this time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."Genesis 18:10,14">[fn]Genesis 18:10,14;">[xr]

according to his calling and not by works), Rebeccashe">[fn] was told, "The older child will serve the younger one."Genesis 25:23">[fn]Genesis 25:23;">[xr]

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!">[fn]Genesis 3:15; Romans 3:24; 15:33; 1 Corinthians 16:23; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 4:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18; Revelation 22:21;">[xr]

You know that the person who unites himself with a prostitute becomes one body with her, don't you? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh."Genesis 2:24">[fn]Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:31;">[xr]

For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;Genesis 2:21-22;">[xr]

This, indeed, is what is written: "The first man, Adam, became a living being."Genesis 2:7">[fn] The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.Genesis 2:7; John 5:21; Romans 5:14; Philippians 3:21; Colossians 3:4;">[xr]

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"Genesis 1:3">[fn] has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ.Jesus; still other mss. read Christ Jesus">[fn]Genesis 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:4; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:19;">[xr]

In the same way, Abraham "believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."Genesis 15:6">[fn]Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3,9, 21-22; James 2:23;">[xr]

Because the Scripture saw ahead of time that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, it announced the gospel to Abraham beforehand when it said, "Through you all nationsall the Gentiles">[fn] will be blessed."Genesis 12:3">[fn]Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 22:18; Acts 2:35; Romans 9:17; Galatians 3:22;">[xr]

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. It doesn't say "descendants," referring to many, but "your descendant,"Genesis 12:7">[fn] referring to one person, who is Christ.Genesis 12:3,7; 17:7; 1 Corinthians 12:12; Galatians 3:8;">[xr]

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,Genesis 3:15; 49:10; Isaiah 7:14; Daniel 9:24; Micah 5:3; Matthew 1:23; 5:17; Mark 1:15; Luke 1:31; John 1:14; Romans 1:3; Ephesians 1:10; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:14;">[xr]

But what does the Scripture say? "Drive out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman must never share the inheritance with the son of the free woman."Genesis 21:10">[fn]Genesis 21:10,12; John 8:35; Galatians 3:8,22, 12;">[xr]

For we are parts of his body - of his flesh and of his bones.of his flesh and of his bones">[fn]Genesis 2:23; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 6:15; 12:27;">[xr]

"That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh."Genesis 2:24">[fn]Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Mark 10:7-8; 1 Corinthians 6:16;">[xr]

And when he had disarmed the rulers and the authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in the cross.in it">[fn]Genesis 3:15; Psalm 68:18; Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 12:29; Luke 10:18; 11:22; John 12:31; 16:11; Ephesians 4:8; 6:12; Hebrews 2:14;">[xr]

because they try to keep us from telling the Gentiles how they can be saved. The result is that they are always adding to the measure of their sins. However, wrath has come on them at last!Genesis 15:16; Matthew 23:32; Luke 11:52; Acts 13:50; 18:12; 19:9; 22:21-22;">[xr]