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. (14) For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: (15) Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. (16) 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,
By the world, of which Abraham is here said to be the heir, cannot be supposed is meant the world, in the general sense of the word, including all mankind; for very frequently in scripture, the world in this view, is spoken of as in opposition to the Church of God. Thus the Lord Jesus, in his prayer for his people, expressly draws a line of distinction, between his Church, and the world; and declares that he prays not for the world, Joh_17:6; Joh_17:9; Joh_17:14; Joh_17:16. And, in like manner, his servants make the same distinction, John 1:10; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 1 John 2:15-16. But, it is the Church in the world which is here spoken of, such as Jesus himself mentions, John 6:51; John 6:51. And this promise given to Abraham, was not, on any account, of a personal nature, because of his righteousness; for, at the time God called him to receive it, he was an idolater. Neither could it be for any obedience to the law; for the law was not given until four hundred and thirty years after. Neither could it be because of circumcision, for this promise was given to Abraham more than thirteen years before that was commanded. Hence, it must have been wholly with an eye to Christ. And very blessed it is to see, that both Abraham, and all his spiritual seed, are made one and the same, on Christ's account; and in Christ, heirs with the Patriarch, in the same promise, Hebrews 11:9-10; Romans 8:16-17
I admire the closenesss and justness of the Apostle's reasoning, in several of these verses, in which he shews, the blessedness of God's promise, in direct opposition to man's works. If they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void; and the promise made of none effect It is of no use for God to promise, if the accomplishment depends upon man's performance of the law. And, as man cannot come up to the law; so man can never attain the promise, if it depends upon his obedience. It is of no use to hold forth any blessings, if those blessings depend upon man's taking them, when they are put out of his reach. The prisoner, looking through his iron grate, beholds the liberty of those passing by; but his prison doors preclude him the enjoyment. The law may hold forth liberty, on condition of obedience; but if that obedience be impossible, the liberty is impossible also, Moreover, God's promise is rendered void, if anything of man's (services be taken into the account for obtaining it, But, if both the' promise, enjoyment the promise, be of grace, then the grace which first gives, will be manifested in giving power to receive; and thus will it be made sure, to all for whom it is designed. Reader! beg of God to be enabled to form a right value of the promise, which is Christ himself in all his fulness, suitableness, and all sufficiency: and beg also rightly to value the absolute gift of God in it, for depending not upon the worth or merit of man, but upon the free grace, and free gift of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.