Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 4:13

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 .

Some by the World do understand, the World of the Faithful, or Believers dispersed over all the World: And so in Effect it is the same which he said before, Tha[illegible: 1 letter] Abraham should be the Father of all that Believe, whither of the circumcision or uncircumcision. Others by the World, do understand the Land of Canaan; under which also, Heaven was typically Promised and Comprehended, vid. Heb. 4.3. and 11.9, 10, 16. This by a Synecdoche, is put for all the World; and so also Tabor and Hermon are put for the East and West of the whole World, Psal. 89.12. This was promis'd to Abraham, and to his Seed, Gen. 12.7. and 15.18.

i. e. It was not made to Abraham, because he had merited it by keeping the Law; but because he had believed God, and obtain'd the Righteousness of Faith. In the whole Verse is couch'd an Argument for Iustification by Faith without Works, which is the Apostles drift; and it may be thus form'd, If the Promise of Inheritance to Abraham and his Seed, was to be accomplisht not by Legal Obedience, but by the Righteousness of Faith; then it follows, That We are Iustified by Faith, and not by Works; but the Promise of Inheritance to Abraham and his Seed, was to be Accomplish't, not by the Law, but by the Righteousness of Faith.

Marginal references: Or w[illegible: 1 letter]s made to [illegible: 1 word] or his Gal. 3.16▪