| Previous Verse |
Romans 4:16 |
Next Verse |
Therefore [it is] of faith, that [it might be] by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Audio commentary on this verse
Note 4 at Rom. 4:16: Paul makes it very clear here that the seed of Abraham included more than his physical descendants. Jesus taught on this (see note 10 at Jn. 8:33, p. 291; see note 14 at Jn. 8:37, p. 291; see note 16 at Jn. 8:41, p. 291) and Paul mentions this a number of times (Rom. 2:28-29; 4:11-12,16; ch. 9; Gal. 3).
Note 5 at Rom. 4:16: Since God made salvation available on the basis of faith in what He did, then everyone can be saved. If He would have made our holiness the basis of salvation, then no one could have been saved, "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (see note 6 at Rom. 3:23, p. 759).
