“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,”
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed 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. The inheritance is guaranteed through grace and faith. Grace ensures that it is unmerited; faith ensures that it is available to all. Abraham's seed is redefined: all who share his faith, regardless of ethnic identity.
Church Fathers on Romans 4:16
“Therefore it is of faith,” he says, “that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed.” You see that it is not the Law only that faith establishes, but the promise of God also that it will not allow to fall to the ground. But the Law, on the other hand, by being kept to unseasonably, makes even the faith of none effect, and hinders the promise. By this he shows that faith, so far from being superfluous, is even necessary to that degree, that…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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