Rom 4:13-17 | RWP | e4.org | That he should be the heir of the world ( το κληρονομον αυτον εινα κοσμου ). The articular infinitive ( το εινα ) with the accusative of general reference in loose apposition with η επαγγελια (the promise). But where is that promise? Not just , but the whole chain of promises about his son, his descendants like the stars in heaven, the Messiah and the blessing to the world through him. In these verses ( ) Paul employs (Sanday and Headlam) the keywords of his gospel (faith, promise, grace) and arrays them against the current Jewish theology (law, works, merit).

‏ Romans 4:13-17

That he should be the heir of the world ( το κληρονομον αυτον εινα κοσμου ). The articular infinitive ( το εινα ) with the accusative of general reference in loose apposition with η επαγγελια (the promise). But where is that promise? Not just Ge 12:7, but the whole chain of promises about his son, his descendants like the stars in heaven, the Messiah and the blessing to the world through him. In these verses (13-17) Paul employs (Sanday and Headlam) the keywords of his gospel (faith, promise, grace) and arrays them against the current Jewish theology (law, works, merit).

Be heirs ( κληρονομο ). No predicate in the Greek ( εισιν ). See on Ga 4:1. If legalists are heirs of the Messianic promise to Abraham (condition of first class, assumed as true for argument's sake), the faith is emptied of all meaning ( κεκενωτα, perfect passive indicative of κενοω ) and the promise to Abraham is made permanently idle ( κατηργητα ).

Worketh wrath ( οργην κατεργαζετα ). Because of disobedience to it.

Neither is there transgression ( ουδε παραβασις ). There is no responsibility for the violation of a non-existent law.

Of faith ( εκ πιστεως ). As the source.

According to grace ( κατα χαριν ). As the pattern.

To the end that ( εις το εινα ). Purpose again as in 11.

Sure ( βεβαιαν ). Stable, fast, firm. Old adjective from βαινω, to walk.

Not to that only which is of the law ( ου τω εκ του νομου μονον ). Another instance where μονον (see verse 12) seems in the wrong place. Normally the order would be, ου μονον τω εκ του νομου, αλλα κα κτλ.

A father of many nations ( πατερα πολλων εθνων ). Quotation from Ge 17:5. Only true in the sense of spiritual children as already explained, father of believers in God.

Before him whom he believed even God ( κατεναντ ου επιστευσεν θεου ). Incorporation of antecedent into the relative clause and attraction of the relative ω into ου. See Mr 11:2 for κατεναντ, "right in front of."

Calleth the things that are not as though they were ( καλουντος τα μη οντα ως οντα ). "Summons the non-existing as existing." Abraham's body was old and decrepit. God rejuvenated him and Sarah (Heb 11:19).