Rom 4:13-17 | TNotes | STEP | 4:13 the whole earth: God told Abraham that he would be the father of many nations (4:17 ; Gen 12:2 ; 13:16 ; 15:5 ; 17:4-6 , 16-20 ; 22:17 ) and that he would be the means of blessing to all people (Gen 12:3 ; 18:18 ; 22:18 ; cp. Isa 55:3-5 ).

4:13 ^a the whole earth: God told Abraham that he would be the father of many nations (4:17 ^b; Gen 12:2 ^c; 13:16 ^d; 15:5 ^e; 17:4-6 ^f, 16-20 ^g; 22:17 ^h) and that he would be the means of blessing to all people (Gen 12:3 ⁱ; 18:18 ^j; 22:18 ^k; cp. Isa 55:3-5 ^l).
4:14 ^m then faith is not necessary (literally faith is emptied): If works of obedience can be substituted for faith, then “faith is emptied” of its importance. Believing in God means acknowledging our unworthiness and depending entirely on God’s mercy.
4:15 ⁿ The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break! (literally where there is no law, neither is there transgression): Paul always uses the word “transgression” to denote disobedience of a clear commandment of God (see also 2:23 ^o; 5:14 ^p; Gal 3:19 ^q; 1 Tim 2:14 ^r). Transgression only exists where the law exists, which is why the law always brings punishment. The law that God gave to the Israelites specified requirements in great detail, which made the people more accountable for sin than before. So when they inevitably disobeyed the law, God brought more severe punishment upon them.
4:16 ^s whether or not we live according to the law of Moses (literally not only those who are of the law): The Jews were of the law in that their covenant with God included the law of Moses and they were to live according to it.