3 - Promising the world: inheritance in Romans 4:13–25

Summary

Introduction

This description of some of the features of Greco-Roman society provides a backdrop for a reading of inheritance (κληρονόμος) language in Romans. In what follows I will explore the nature and characteristics of the inheritance and the degree to which this contributes to an overall counter-imperial narrative in Romans. The present chapter takes the first steps towards this goal, examining κληρονόμος in Rom. 4:13–25 in order to consider the contribution this term makes to Paul's argument and to begin to understand his message within its first-century social, religious and political context.

(13) For the promise that he would inherit the world(τὸ κληρονόμον αὐτὸν εἶναι κόσμου) did not come to Abraham or to his descendants (σπέρματι) through the law but through the righteousness of faith. (14) If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs (κληρονόμοι), faith is null and the promise is void. (15) For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. (16) For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants (σπέρματι), not only to the adherents of the law but also those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us [ὅς ἐστιν πατὴρ πάντων ἡμῶν], (17) as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations [Πατέρα πολλῶν ἐθνῶν])” – in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. […]