Romans 4:13
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.
Cross-reference
Romans 4:11 shows circumcision as a seal of righteousness by faith, supporting that the promise comes through faith, not law.
Romans 9:30 shows Gentiles attaining righteousness by faith, directly illustrating the promise that Abraham would be heir of the world.
Romans 3:20 establishes that no one is justified by law, providing the basis for why the promise comes through faith, not law.
Romans 10:6 describes righteousness by faith, contrasting law, echoing the faith-not-law promise in this verse.
Genesis 12:3 gives the original promise that all nations will be blessed through Abraham, which Paul interprets as the promise to be heir of the world.
Genesis 17:4 declares Abraham a father of many nations, directly corresponding to the promise of being heir of the world.
Genesis 17:5 repeats the father of many nations promise, reinforcing the covenant Paul references.
Genesis 17:16 promises Sarah will be mother of nations, part of the same covenant that makes Abraham heir of the world.
Genesis 22:17 promises multiplied descendants and blessing, fulfilling the world heir promise.
Genesis 22:18 promises all nations blessed in Abraham's seed, the specific promise Paul cites for world heirship.
Genesis 28:14 reiterates the promise to Jacob that all families will be blessed, continuing the Abrahamic promise.
Psalm 2:8 promises the nations and ends of the earth as inheritance, paralleling the 'heir of the world' promise to Abraham.
Galatians 3:16-18 explains that the promise to Abraham and his seed (Christ) is not voided by the law, reinforcing the faith-based inheritance.
Galatians 3:29 declares believers in Christ are Abraham's offspring and heirs according to the promise, directly linking to the inheritance.
In Galatians 3:18, Paul repeats the same logic: inheritance comes by promise, not law — reinforcing the antithesis between promise and law.
Galatians 2:16 declares justification by faith, not law, directly reinforcing the same contrast between law and promise in this verse.
Acts 3:25 cites the Abrahamic promise that all families will be blessed through his offspring, directly connecting to the promise of being heir of the world.
In Galatians 4:28, believers are identified as children of promise like Isaac — showing that the promise to Abraham applies to those born of the Spirit, not the law.
Matthew 1:1 identifies Jesus as son of Abraham, showing He is the ultimate seed and heir of the promise in Romans 4:13.
In Philippians 3:9, Paul contrasts his own righteousness from law with righteousness through faith — echoing the same distinction between law-based and faith-based righteousness.
Genesis 15:7 records God's promise of the land to Abraham, the original basis for the expanded 'heir of the world' promise.
Acts 13:32 announces fulfillment of God's promises to the fathers, tying into the Abrahamic promise of heirship mentioned here.
Psalm 72:11 depicts all kings and nations serving the king, reflecting the universal rule implied in being heir of the world.
Matthew 5:5 promises the meek will inherit the earth, echoing the 'heir of the world' theme from Romans 4:13.
In Hebrews 7:6, Melchizedek blesses Abraham who 'had the promises' — highlighting Abraham as recipient of divine promises, though the focus is on priesthood.