Romans 4:14

KJV

For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} if {G1487} they which are of {G1537} the law {G3551} be heirs {G2818}, faith {G4102} is made void {G2758}, and {G2532} the promise {G1860} made of none effect {G2673}:

Complete Jewish Bible

For if the heirs are produced by legalism, then trust is pointless and the promise worthless.

Berean Standard Bible

For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless,

American Standard Version

For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 4:14 stands as a pivotal declaration in Paul's argument for justification by faith, asserting that if the inheritance of God's promises were contingent upon adherence to the Mosaic Law, then the very concept of faith would be rendered meaningless, and the divine promise itself would be stripped of its power and efficacy. This verse underscores the fundamental incompatibility of law-based righteousness with grace-based faith as the means of receiving God's covenantal blessings, highlighting the absolute necessity of faith for the promise to stand.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 4:14 is situated within Paul's profound theological exposition on justification by faith, a central theme of his letter to the Romans. In the preceding verses, Paul has meticulously built his case using the patriarch Abraham as the prime example. He demonstrates that Abraham was declared righteous not by works of the Law or by circumcision, but by his belief in God's promise, as recorded in [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham's Faith Credited as Righteousness"). Paul emphasizes that Abraham received this righteousness before the Law was given at Sinai and before he was circumcised, thus establishing faith as the pre-eminent and universal principle for receiving God's favor. Verse 14 serves as a logical conclusion to this argument, a stark "if-then" statement that exposes the untenable consequences of basing inheritance on legal adherence rather than on faith. It directly counters any notion that the Law could provide the basis for the promise, setting the stage for Paul's further explanation of the promise's fulfillment through Christ to both circumcised and uncircumcised believers in [Romans 4:16-25](/romans/4-16-25 "Romans 4:16-25 - The Nature of Abraham's Faith and Its Application to Believers").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience of Paul's letter to the Romans included both Jewish and Gentile believers, many of whom were grappling with the implications of the Gospel for their understanding of the Mosaic Law and traditional Jewish identity. For centuries, the Law (Torah) had been the cornerstone of Jewish life, seen as God's divine revelation and the pathway to righteousness and covenantal blessing. Many Jewish Christians continued to believe that adherence to the Law, including circumcision and dietary regulations, was necessary for full inclusion in God's people and for inheriting His promises. The concept of "heirs" (Greek: _klēronomoi_) was deeply significant in both Jewish and Roman cultures, referring to those who legally received an inheritance—often land, property, or status—from a deceased relative. Paul leverages this familiar concept to explain the spiritual inheritance promised by God. His argument in [Romans 4](/romans/4 "Romans 4 - Justification by Faith") directly challenges the prevailing Jewish cultural understanding that one's standing before God was primarily determined by one's meticulous observance of the Law, asserting instead that God's promise to Abraham was always intended to be received through faith, making it accessible to all, irrespective of ethnic or legal distinctions.
* **Key Themes:** Romans 4:14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Paul's theology within Romans and beyond. The most prominent is the **Antithesis of Faith and Law**, where Paul demonstrates that these two principles operate on fundamentally different bases for salvation and inheritance; they are mutually exclusive as primary means. If one is the basis, the other is nullified. This leads to the theme of **Justification by Faith Alone** (_sola fide_), emphasizing that a right standing before God is granted solely through trust in His promises and His Son, Jesus Christ, rather than through human effort or legal performance. The verse also highlights the **Nature of God's Promise**, revealing it as an unconditional, grace-based declaration that precedes and transcends the Law, rooted in God's sovereign initiative. Furthermore, it speaks to the **Universal Scope of Salvation**, implying that if the promise is based on faith, it can extend beyond a single ethnic group (those "of the law") to all who believe, fulfilling God's original intention for Abraham to be the father of many nations ([Romans 4:17](/romans/4-17 "Romans 4:17 - Abraham, Father of Many Nations")). Finally, the verse implicitly touches upon the **Efficacy of God's Word**, asserting that God's promise is powerful and effective, but its effectiveness for individuals is contingent upon the means He has established—faith.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Law (Greek, _nómos'_):** Refers to the Mosaic Law, the collection of divine commands given to Israel through Moses. In this context, "they which are of the law" refers to those who base their claim to righteousness and inheritance on their adherence to this legal code. Paul uses _nómos_ to represent a system of works-based righteousness, contrasting it sharply with faith.
* **Heirs (Greek, _klēronómos'_):** A "sharer by lot" or "inheritor." This term signifies one who receives a portion or possession, often through a legal right or divine appointment. Here, it refers to those who receive the spiritual blessings and covenantal promises of God, particularly those made to Abraham, which include righteousness, relationship with God, and participation in God's redemptive plan.
* **Made of none effect (Greek, _katargéō'_):** To be "rendered entirely idle (useless)," "abolished," "annulled," or "deprived of force." This strong verb emphasizes the complete nullification or invalidation of something. If the promise were contingent on the Law, its original intent and power would be utterly destroyed, stripped of its ability to accomplish what it was meant to.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For if they which are of the law [be] heirs":** This clause sets up a hypothetical condition. Paul posits a scenario where the inheritance of God's promises—the blessings and covenantal relationship promised to Abraham and his spiritual offspring—is granted based on adherence to the Mosaic Law. The phrase "they which are of the law" identifies those who rely on their legal performance and ethnic identity as Jews for their standing before God. Paul is challenging the premise that law-keeping could be the basis for receiving what God has promised.
* **"faith is made void":** This is the first devastating consequence of the hypothetical condition. If the Law were the means to inheritance, then faith would be "emptied" (Greek: _kenóō_), rendered meaningless, useless, and without purpose. Faith, by its very nature, implies reliance on God's unmerited favor and promise, not on human effort or performance. If human performance (Law-keeping) is the basis, then there is no need for faith, and its essential role in God's plan of salvation is negated.
* **"and the promise made of none effect":** This is the second, equally dire consequence. Not only would faith be nullified, but the promise itself would be "abolished" or "deprived of force" (Greek: _katargéō_). The divine promise, which is inherently a declaration of God's sovereign grace and faithfulness, would lose its power and validity if it became dependent on human ability to perfectly fulfill the Law. A promise based on perfect human performance is no longer a promise of grace but a conditional contract that humanity is incapable of fulfilling, thereby rendering the promise itself ineffective.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in Romans 4:14 to convey his theological argument. The most prominent is a **Conditional Statement** ("For if... then..."), which functions as a logical syllogism, demonstrating the inevitable and unacceptable consequences of a false premise. This "if-then" structure highlights the stark **Antithesis** between "law" and "faith" as mutually exclusive principles for receiving God's inheritance. Paul uses strong, definitive verbs like "made void" (_kenóō_) and "made of none effect" (_katargéō_), which border on **Hyperbole** or intense **Emphatic Language**, to underscore the absolute impossibility and theological absurdity of the Law being the basis for the promise. These terms are not merely descriptive; they are polemical, designed to shock the reader into recognizing the theological impasse created by a law-based system of inheritance. The entire verse functions as a piece of **Logical Argumentation**, compelling the reader to follow Paul's reasoning to its unavoidable conclusion: either faith is the means, or God's promise and the very concept of faith are nullified.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 4:14 articulates a profound theological truth foundational to the Christian understanding of salvation: God's covenantal promises are rooted in His unmerited grace and received through faith, not through human adherence to a legal code. This verse underscores that the Law, while holy and good in its purpose of revealing sin and God's standard, was never intended to be the means by which humanity could earn righteousness or inherit God's blessings. To assert that inheritance comes by the Law is to fundamentally misunderstand the nature of God's promise, which is a free gift dependent on divine faithfulness, not human performance. It reveals God's character as a promise-keeping God whose redemptive plan is secured by His own initiative and power, not by human striving. This theological distinction is crucial for understanding the New Covenant, where Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death fulfill the Law's demands, making the promise accessible to all who believe.

* [Galatians 3:18](/galatians/3-18 "Galatians 3:18 - Inheritance by Promise, Not Law")
* [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise in Christ")
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 4:14 serves as a powerful reminder that our standing before God is not, and never can be, based on our own efforts, obedience to rules, or religious performance. If our inheritance of God's promises depended on perfectly fulfilling the Law, then faith would become superfluous, and the glorious promise of God—a gift freely given—would be rendered null and void. This truth liberates us from the crushing burden of trying to earn God's favor, a task at which we would inevitably fail. Instead, it invites us to rest in the finished work of Christ and to embrace a life of humble dependence on God's grace, received through faith. It calls us to examine where we place our trust: in our own abilities and good deeds, or in the unfailing faithfulness of God and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Our assurance comes not from what we do, but from what God has done and promised.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you subtly (or overtly) rely on your own performance or adherence to rules rather than on God's grace and promise?**
* **How does understanding that "faith is made void" if law is the basis for inheritance impact your view of salvation and Christian living?**
* **What practical steps can you take to deepen your reliance on God's promises through faith, rather than on your own efforts?**

### FAQ
**Does Romans 4:14 mean the Law is bad or useless?**

Answer: No, Romans 4:14 does not teach that the Law is bad or useless. Paul consistently affirms the Law's divine origin and its holy, just, and good nature (e.g., [Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law Is Holy")). The Law serves crucial purposes: it reveals God's righteous character, exposes humanity's sin, and points to the need for a savior. However, its purpose is not to provide a means for fallen humanity to earn righteousness or inherit God's promises. Paul's point in [Romans 4](/romans/4 "Romans 4 - Justification by Faith") is that the Law and the promise operate on different principles for obtaining inheritance. If the inheritance were *of* the Law (i.e., earned by keeping it), then faith would be unnecessary, and the promise, which is a gift of grace, would be nullified. The Law is good, but it was never intended to be the path to justification or inheritance.

**How does this verse relate to Christian obedience and living a holy life?**

Answer: Romans 4:14 clarifies the *basis* of our salvation and inheritance, which is faith, not law-keeping. However, this does not negate the importance of obedience or holy living for Christians. Rather, it reorients the motivation for such living. We obey not to *earn* our salvation or inheritance, but because we have *received* them by grace through faith. Our obedience becomes a grateful response to God's saving work, a demonstration of our love for Him, and evidence of the Holy Spirit's transforming power within us. As Paul explains elsewhere, we are "created in Christ Jesus for good works" ([Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works")). Our walk of faith involves living according to God's will, not as a means to gain favor, but as a joyful expression of our new identity as heirs of God's promise through Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 4:14, by starkly contrasting law and faith as the means to inheritance, powerfully anticipates and magnifies the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's promises. The "promise" that would be "made of none effect" if based on law is ultimately the promise of salvation, eternal life, and participation in God's kingdom, all of which find their definitive "Yes" in Jesus Christ ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises Are Yes in Christ")). Christ is the true "seed" of Abraham to whom the promises were ultimately directed ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Promise to Abraham's Seed")). His perfect obedience to the Law and His substitutionary death on the cross fully satisfied its demands, thereby removing the curse of the Law for those who believe ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")) and making it possible for the promise to be received by faith. Through faith in Christ, believers are united with Him, becoming Abraham's spiritual offspring and "heirs according to the promise" ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")). Thus, Christ is the very embodiment of the promise, and faith in Him is the only means by which that promise, which would otherwise be nullified by humanity's inability to keep the Law, becomes a living, effective reality for all who believe, fulfilling God's gracious design from eternity past ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Philippians 3:9

¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Galatians 3:18

For if the inheritance [be] of the law, [it is] no more of promise: but God gave [it] to Abraham by promise.

Galatians 3:24

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Romans 3:31

Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Hebrews 7:28

For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Isaiah 55:11

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.

Hebrews 7:19

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God.