“13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise nullified, 15 because the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.”
In Romans 4, Paul has been making the clear argument that the righteousness of the Jewish patriarchs was based on faith, not works. And so it is with God’s followers today! In verses 13-15, Paul will continue to show that the Father of Israel, Abraham, lived a life of faith. The promise that was given to Abraham, that his descendants would inherit the world, was because of the righteousness he had in faith, not through his obedience to the law. In fact, the law wasn’t even established yet! It is not possible for a mere observer of the law to inherit God’s promise. Paul says that their faith is empty and the promise is nullified. (v. 14) Even to those who follow the law, it brings with it no chance of salvation or righteousness. The law can only bring condemnation and wrath.
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul tells us that it’s not possible that God’s covenant with Abraham was based on the Law of Moses because the law wouldn’t exist for another 430 years! Instead, God’s covenant was based on the faith that Abraham had, faith that God would save him and his descendants from their sin. This faith is what made Abraham righteous in God’s sight.
“Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, who is Christ. My point is this: The law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously established by God and thus cancel the promise. For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise; but God has graciously given it to Abraham through the promise.” — Galatians 3:16-18
Again, Paul explains that it’s not possible for the covenant between God and Abraham to be dependent on the law, because that would only end in God’s wrath. (v. 15) As we’ve discussed in Chapters 2 and 3, the law is not capable of producing righteousness or providing salvation. The law only holds a person accountable to its standard, and when that standard is violated, the penalty of God’s wrath is both deserved and justified.