Romans 4 (Part 2): The Promise Is of Faith
Part 2 of 4 • ⏱️ 2-Min Read Passage: Rom.4:9-15 Scripture Focus: "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 faith." (Rom.4:13) Today's Lesson Paul now asks whether the blessedness he just described belongs only to the circumcised. The answer is no, and the timing of Abraham's justification proves it. Abraham believed God and was counted righteous in Genesis 15, but circumcision was not given until Genesis 17, roughly fourteen years later. The seal came after the righteousness, not before it. This order matters because it means Abraham was justified while still uncircumcised, making him the father of all who believe, whether circumcised or not. Circumcision was a seal of a righteousness he already possessed by faith. It added nothing to the credit. Paul then presses further to the promise itself. The promise that Abraham would be heir of the world did not come thro...