The Promise. Romans 4:13-17 V.13. A wonderful blessing that came first as a promise to Abraham has been brought to us. "In thy seed shall all nations of the earth be blessed." The mind, actions, words, relationships, and attitude of Abraham toward God were a foreshadowing of the new covenant. This is not because of the wonderful works Abraham did in the past, nor was it because he was a faithful law-keeper. He is called the "father of the faithful" because he believed God and acted accordingly. He did not make much effort to earn the blessing of God's promises. His righteousness was the righteousness of faith. All of his life was lived before the law was given to Moses.
Ceremonies and some rituals in local assemblies are reminders of where we came from and of our faith. We can instruct new believers by having times of remembrance of special events, but they have no real spiritual value. They are ways that we can demonstrate our faith by which we have lived. Our faith focuses on Christ and what He has done for us, not on ourselves and what we do for Him.
V.14-15. By repeating this teaching of righteousness by faith, the Spirit of God emphasizes the truth that this imparted righteousness is according to grace so all may know it. The faith that saves us has been, and still is, being exercised by all those who have trusted in Him, who is "The Heir of all the world." Abraham was implied figuratively as the one who would bring blessing because of his faith. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Seed of Promise, will personally and actually bring blessing to the whole world. Those who will come into the good of this are those of faith who put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone apart from the works of the law. Faith in Christ is not mixed with the works or merits of man. Abraham believed this promise that included us all.
V.16-17. Abraham was the father of the household of faith. Those who bring the Gospel to win souls to the Savior are called "fathers" also because people were "begotten through the Gospel." God is the Father who brought life to us by the Holy Spirit through His Word. God makes us alive from the dead and gives us being. He made life where there was no life. For God to bring something or someone into being is a work of His own doing, apart from anything we have done or might yet do. In the illustration of Abraham, the promise of God is defined and shown as not being by the law but by faith alone.