6:17 the heirs of the promise. God’s oath-bound promise was not only for Abraham but for all who follow his footsteps of faith (1:14; 6:12; 10:36; Rom. 4:23, 24).

his purpose. God’s unchanging purpose was to bless the world through the seed of Abraham (Gen. 12:3); the meaning of this was revealed in the gospel (Gal. 3:6–9).