There are two key points in verse 13. The first is that Abraham received the promise through faith, not the Law. The second is that the promise had worldwide consequences. All nations would be blessed through him. The Jews had become inward looking, thinking they were blessed and everyone else was outside the blessing. It is easy for us to make the same mistake. We see others clearly going against God's ways, showing no interest in God, so we focus on ourselves. But the promise is for the world, the gospel will break through into every people group, every sector of society. Abraham received the promise through the righteousness that comes by faith.
In could not be that those who depend upon the Law are heirs of the promise. This is so for two reasons. One no one could manage this anyway, and secondly it would mean that the Gentiles were excluded. The Law brings wrath, ie it brings God's righteous judgement upon us.
Transgression means to step over a line. So if there is no law there is no transgression, for the line has not been specified. Now this does not mean there is not sin. We see this principle even in our own society. As technology advances and society changes new laws are introduced to try and stop certain things. These actions were still wrong before the new law came in. The reason Paul introduces this point is to show them the purpose of the Law. It was there to show them their sin.
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