Romans 4:16
16 Therefore [dia] [touto] it is of [ek] faith [pistis], that [hina] it might be by
[kata] grace [charis]; to the end [eis] the
promise [epaggelia] might be [einai] sure [bebaios] to all [pas] the seed [sperma]; not [ou] to that only [monon] which
is of [ek] the law [nomos], but [alla] to that also [kai] which is of [ek] the faith [pistis] of Abraham [Abraam]; who [hos] is [esti] the father [pater] of us [hemon] all [pas], KJV-Interlinear
16 That
is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be
guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to
the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, ESV
And so Paul makes his conclusion that faith alone
serves as the main and only valid mechanism of salvation. That opens the way for Gods favor or
grace. For if salvation depended on mans
works or effort, then it would be based on the merits of human effort, and not
on Gods effort.
However, man is incapable of doing what it takes to
pay the price of sin. Man is incapable
of conquering death. Man is incapable of
controlling his immediate environment, much less the universe.
Therefore we are all dependent on God and on Gods
plan, which is Jesus Christ, securing our eternal life by means of His effort,
which He alone could do.
And that opens up the door of salvation to all of
humanity, not just to those who had custody of the scriptures, or the Law,
namely the Israelites, but it is open to all of humanity, because salvation depends
on Christ, not man.
Lest the Jews would claim ownership and exclusivity of
Gods plan, and then come up with all manner of works, requiring adherence to their
wishes, rather than Gods. Which they did
through Judaism.
So, God the Father, planed the plan, Christ carried out
the plan, and the Holy Spirit preserves and communicates the plan, making the
plan of salvation fair and available to all.
With man in charge then people become excluded.
With God in charge, no one is excluded.
Abraham set the pattern of faith, and when we follow
in that pattern, then he becomes our father because of that pattern.
