Guaranteed by Grace

In Romans 4:13-17 Paul makes two statements of fact - one positive and one negative - concerning how the promise is conveyed to Abraham and his offspring. I. The negative statement: The promise of possessing the entire world did not come through the keeping of the law (v. 13a, b)
A) because faith would be nullified (v. 14a), B) because the promise would be voided (v. 14b), C) because the law brings wrath (v. 15a), and D) because the promise came before the law, there would have technically been no violation of the law (even though there was sin) when the promise was given (v. 15b).
II. The positive statement: The promise of possessing the entire world did come through the righteousness of faith (v. 13c). A) So the promise would rest on grace (v. 16a), B) So the promise would be guaranteed by God (v. 16b), C) So the promise would include both Jew and Gentile (v. 16c), D) So Abraham would be the father of everyone who has faith in Jesus (v. 16d), and E) So the word of God would be true (v. 17).