Romans 4:16–17

Righteousness without the law

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law [Jews] but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham [Gentiles]. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

Verses 16 and 17 are parallel to verses 11 and 12, in that both speak of Abraham as the father of all believers, both Jews and Gentiles. There is, however, an advance in thought in this latter section. The advance is that God is described as worthy of the trust that faith places in him. He can be trusted for every good blessing because he is a God who can even bring life from death. He clearly showed that ability in his dealing with Abraham and Sarah.