Romans 4:14

14 If people could receive what God promised by following the law, then faith is worthless. And God's promise to Abraham is worthless,

Romans 4:14 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 4:14

For if they which are of the law be heirs
That is, if the Jews who are under the law, and are seeking for righteousness and life by the works of it, should, on the account of their obedience to it, be heirs of the grace of life and of glory,

faith is made void;
for if the right to the inheritance is by the works of the law, there is no room for faith; that can be of no use or service;

and the promise made of none effect:
if salvation is by works, it is to no purpose for God to promise, or men to believe; for the thing promised depends not upon God's promise, but upon man's obedience to the law; and if that is not perfectly observed, as it cannot possibly be, then the promise of God stands for nothing, and is in course made void. The apostle here argues from the absurdities which follow upon the doctrine of justification by works, as he does from the different effects of the law, in the following verse.

Romans 4:14 In-Context

12 And Abraham is also the father of those who have been circumcised and who live following the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

13 Abrahamn and his descendants received the promise that they would get the whole world. He did not receive that promise through the law, but through being right with God by his faith.

14 If people could receive what God promised by following the law, then faith is worthless. And God's promise to Abraham is worthless,

15 because the law can only bring God's anger. But if there is no law, there is nothing to disobey.

16 So people receive God's promise by having faith. This happens so the promise can be a free gift. Then all of Abraham's children can have that promise. It is not only for those who live under the law of Moses but for anyone who lives with faith like that of Abraham, who is the father of us all.