Why Did God Make the Promise According to Grace?
Thinking about Romans 4:16-17.
Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, "I HAVE MADE YOU A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS") in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; (Romans 4:16-17)
Paul had just reminded his readers that if the law makes us heirs, then faith and the promise mean nothing.
So, God’s promise was not according to the law - but according to something else.
The Promise is According to Grace.
So, God decided that it would be “of faith” so that it “might be according to grace.” There would be no earning salvation - it would be offered according to God’s grace.
God wouldn’t let the getting of the promise be a matter of “law” in order that it might be a matter of “grace.” Make no mistake then, when a thing is a matter of faith, earning is out of the question. Self-righteousness has no place. No matter how we slice it, salvation is a free gift. - McGuiggan, Romans, 150-151
Paul concludes, therefore, that when it comes to justification that “it is of faith.” Such a system makes it possible for God to bestow His wonderful grace upon man. Had justification been based upon man’s success in keeping some law system then it could in no way be “according to grace.” - Wacaster, Studies in Romans, 166-167
Why Would God Make the Promise According to Grace?
Why did God do this? “So that the promise might be sure to all the seed.” If it were left up to our living a sinless life - well, our chances of salvation would be pretty slim, wouldn’t they?
God wanted to be sure that we got the promise - so He made it a matter of His grace or unmerited favor.
God wanted to be sure that the heirs got the promise, so what did he do? He made it a matter of faith because that made it a matter of grace. Why did he make it a matter of grace? Because he wanted them to be sure of getting it. - McGuiggan, Romans, 151
Who Is God’s Grace For?
This offer of God’s grace was not just for the physical descendants of Abraham but for all “who are of the faith of Abraham.” He is the “father” of us all before God.
Abraham is said to be the father of us all before God, or in the sight of God. He stands as an example not only before men, but also before the Father’s face, concerning what it means to be justified by faith. - Wacaster, Studies in Romans, 168
This point should have opened the eyes of the Jewish people to the world around them - and realize that God’s grace was offered to all people who would have the faith of Abraham.
The promise to Abraham was designed to widen the perspective of his descendants after him. That Jews did not turn in a more open way to the Gentiles nations, but instead turned inwardly, is the sad history that Paul addressed. - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 151
Today, God’s gracious offer still stands for all people.