By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Sarah's faith wasn't about denying her impossible circumstances, but about firmly believing God's promise despite them. The text highlights that she received power to conceive "even when she was past the age," emphasizing that her trust wasn't in her body's ability, but in God's faithfulness to His word.
By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is about Sarah, Abraham's wife, and her miraculous conception of Isaac. It follows the introduction of Abraham's faith, showing that this promise involved both husband and wife, even though Sarah initially doubted and laughed at the announcement of her pregnancy. The text highlights her eventual belief in God's faithfulness despite the natural impossibility of conceiving at her advanced age.
Even the greatest heroes of faith stumbled. Sarah's story shows God's grace can overcome our doubts and unbelief.
Sarah's inclusion in the Hall of Faith is striking because her initial reaction to God's promise of a son was laughter and disbelief (Genesis 18:12). This wasn't a laugh of joy, but one of skepticism, seeing the absolute impossibility of the situation given her age.
However, the author of Hebrews highlights that 'even Sarah herself' received power. This doesn't erase her past doubt but emphasizes her ultimate triumph of faith. After being confronted by God, she moved from disbelief to belief, embracing the promise. This shows us that faith isn't about never doubting; it's about ultimately trusting God's faithfulness, even after we've faltered.
What truly fuels our faith when circumstances seem impossible? It's not our strength, but God's character.
The verse gives us the core reason for Sarah's faith: 'since she considered him faithful who had promised.' This is the bedrock of all true faith.
Sarah's faith wasn't rooted in her own ability to conceive, nor in any positive circumstances. It was entirely focused on the unchanging character of God. She looked at God's promise and concluded that because He had promised it, He would surely bring it to pass.
This is a profound lesson for us. When we face situations that seem impossible, our focus needs to shift from the impossibility of the situation to the certainty of God's faithfulness. He is the one who makes promises, and He is the one who keeps them. Our belief in Him stems from our belief in His unfailing character.
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Understand the original words
pistis · Greek Noun
A divinely enabled trust, reliance, and commitment to God and His promises. It is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen, acting as the foundation of the believer's life.
steira · Greek Adjective
A state of being biologically unable to produce children, often used in Scripture to highlight God's miraculous intervention in human history.
pistos · Greek Adjective
Reliable, trustworthy, and true to one's word. When applied to God, it signifies His unwavering commitment to keep His covenants and fulfill His promises.
epangellō · Greek Verb
A declaration or pledge from God concerning future events or blessings. Biblical promises are rooted in God's character and are certain to be fulfilled.
Sarah's faith is highlighted not as a perfect, unwavering belief from the start, but as a victory over her initial doubt and the seemingly impossible circumstances of advanced age and barrenness, underscoring God's faithfulness to His promises.
c. 2091 BC
God's Covenant with Abram
God establishes a covenant with Abram, promising him numerous descendants and a future inheritance in the land of Canaan.
c. 2091 BC— this verse
Abram and Sarai's Initial Doubt
When God promises Abram and his wife Sarai (then named Abram and Sarai) a son, Sarai laughs in disbelief due to their advanced age, showing initial doubt.
c. 2090 BC
Birth of Ishmael
In an attempt to fulfill God's promise through human means, Sarai gives her servant Hagar to Abram, resulting in the birth of Ishmael.
c. 2070 BC
Reaffirmation of Covenant and Name Change
God reaffirms his covenant, changes Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's to Sarah, and reiterates the promise of a son through Sarah.
c. 2069 BC
Birth of Isaac
By faith, Sarah conceives and gives birth to Isaac, fulfilling God's promise and marking the true continuation of the covenant lineage, despite Sarah's initial doubt.
This passage shows Sarah's initial laughter and disbelief when God promised a son, highlighting the contrast with her later faith that Hebrews speaks of.
Romans 4:19-21Paul directly parallels Abraham's faith with Sarah's, emphasizing their unwavering trust in God's promise despite their seemingly impossible physical circumstances.
Genesis 21:1-7This passage describes the miraculous birth of Isaac, the direct result of Sarah's faith, fulfilling the promise that seemed impossible.
Hebrews 10:23This verse encourages holding fast to our confession of faith, echoing the steadfastness required of Sarah and Abraham in believing God's promises.
ellicottHebrews 11:11: "Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised."
(11) Through faith also Sara herself. —Rather, By faith Sarah herself also, or, even Sarah herself. This emphatic introduction of the name of Sarah may point to the unbelief which for a brief while she displayed ( Genesis 18:12 ); but the words may simply mean, “Sarah also, on her part”—the joint recipient with…
vincentHebrews 11:11: "Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised."
SarahFaith prevailing against natural impossibilities. See Romans 4:19-22. Both Abraham and Sarah doubted at first (Genesis 17:17; Genesis 18:12); but both became persuaded of the truthfulness of the promise.Herself (αὐτὴ)She who at first doubted.To conceive seed (εἰς καταβολὴν σπέρματος)In every other ins…
Sarah's faith wasn't about denying her impossible circumstances, but about firmly believing God's promise despite them. The text highlights that she received power to conceive "even when she was past the age," emphasizing that her trust wasn't in her body's ability, but in God's faithfulness to His word.
This verse is about Sarah, Abraham's wife, and her miraculous conception of Isaac. It follows the introduction of Abraham's faith, showing that this promise involved both husband and wife, even though Sarah initially doubted and laughed at the announcement of her pregnancy. The text highlights her eventual belief in God's faithfulness despite the natural impossibility of conceiving at her advanced age.
This verse is about Sarah, Abraham's wife, and her miraculous conception of Isaac. It follows the introduction of Abraham's faith, showing that this promise involved both husband and wife, even though Sarah initially doubted and laughed at the announcement of her pregnancy. The text highlights her eventual belief in God's faithfulness despite the natural impossibility of conceiving at her advanced age.
"By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised." — Sarah's faith wasn't about denying her impossible circumstances, but about firmly believing God's promise despite them. The text highlights that she received power to conceive "even when she was pa…
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Last reviewed October 2026