And he [Abram/Abraham] believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

— Genesis 15:6

8 So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring.

16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

— Romans 9:8, 16

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

— Galatians 3:28-29

So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

— Romans 14:19

o the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen!

— Romans 16:27

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation from Christ to you.

Paul in the book of Romans proves God’s righteousness in His sovereign plan. Although Israel rejected Christ, God’s promises remain, as “true Israel” is defined by God’s sovereign choice and believers’ sincere faith, not lineage or works. Abraham was justified by faith. While not all Abraham’s physical descendants share his faith, the true children of the promise are defined by God’s sovereign calling. Israel’s unbelief opened the door to salvation for the Gentiles, with redemption offered to both Jew and Gentile through faith in Christ.

Paul painstakingly shows how God’s righteousness is worked out in His people’s lives. The book of Romans calls believers to live as transformed, humble servants, united in Christ. Paul urges submission to authority, harmony, patience, and respect for differing views on disputable matters. At the end of Romans, Paul ends his letter to the believers in Rome with greetings, a warning against division, and praise of God’s wisdom.