He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Abraham didn't ignore the deadness of his body or Sarah's womb; rather, he "considered" them intensely but chose not to let these realities paralyze his faith. The original Greek suggests he "fixed his attention" on these obstacles, but his strength in faith prevented him from letting them diminish his trust in God's promise. This shows that faith isn't about denying difficult realities, but about actively choosing to focus on God's power above them.
He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is demonstrating how Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness, particularly in relation to God's promise of numerous descendants. This verse highlights Abraham's incredible trust by describing how he ignored the physical impossibilities of him fathering a child and Sarah conceiving, even at their advanced ages. The verses that follow will emphasize that this unwavering faith gave glory to God and fully persuaded him of God's power to fulfill His promises.
When faced with situations that seem utterly impossible, where do you focus your attention? Abraham's story challenges us to look beyond the obvious limitations.
Paul highlights Abraham's incredible faith by focusing on what he didn't do.
Refusing to Dwell on the Negative
Instead of letting these stark realities paralyze him with doubt, Abraham didn't fix his attention on them. This doesn't mean he was ignorant of the facts; rather, he chose not to let them dictate his belief in God's promise.
Faith isn't just about believing in God, but about believing what God has said, even when circumstances scream otherwise. What does it look like to be 'strong in faith'?
The phrase 'being not weak in faith' is crucial. It describes Abraham's state of faith when facing seemingly impossible situations.
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Active Faith, Not Passive Resignation
Paul highlights Abraham's incredible faith, not by ignoring the physical realities of his and Sarah's old age and Sarah's barrenness, but by facing them head-on and still trusting God's promise.
c. 2000 BC
Abraham's Call and Promise
God calls Abram (later Abraham) from Ur and promises him numerous descendants who will become a great nation and through whom all nations will be blessed. This promise forms the core of Abraham's faith.
c. 1990 BC
Circumcision Instituted
God establishes the covenant sign of circumcision with Abraham when he is 99 years old, reaffirming the promise of many descendants and changing his name to Abraham. Sarah is 90 at this time.
c. 1990 BC— this verse
Abraham's Body Considered Dead
Abraham, now 100 years old, and Sarah, 90 and long past childbearing, face the stark biological reality that having a child seems impossible.
c. 1990 BC
Isaac is Born
Against all natural odds, Sarah conceives and gives birth to Isaac, fulfilling God's promise and demonstrating the power of faith.
This passage directly echoes Abraham's faith by highlighting Sarah's role, explaining that she conceived by faith when she was past the age of childbearing, reinforcing the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth.
Genesis 17:17This verse shows Abraham falling on his face and laughing at the promise of a son, illustrating the extreme improbability of the situation from a human perspective, which makes his subsequent steadfast faith in Romans 4 even more remarkable.
Romans 4:20-21These verses immediately follow and explain the *result* of Abraham not weakening in faith: he did not doubt God's promise but grew strong in his faith, giving glory to God and being fully persuaded of His power.
Joshua 1:9This verse commands Joshua to 'be strong and courageous' because God would be with him, paralleling Abraham's inner strength and reliance on God's presence to overcome seemingly impossible circumstances.
meyerRomans 4:19: "And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:"
Romans 4:19-21 are still dependent on ὁς , completing the description of the believing Abraham: and (who), because he was not weak in faith , regarded not his own dead body .[1081] Theophylact has properly expressed the meiosis in μὴ ἀσθ .: ΜῊ ἈΣΘΕΝΉΣΑς Τῇ ΠΊΣΤΕΙ, ἈΛΛʼ ἸΣΧΥΡᾺΝ ΑὐΤῊΝ ἜΧΩΝ . By ΜΉ the ἈΣΘΕΝ. is negatived from the poi…
henryRomans 4:13-22: "For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith."
4:13-22 The promise was made to Abraham long before the law. It points at Christ, and it refers to the promise, Ge 12:3. In Thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. The law worketh wrath, by showing that every transgressor is exposed to the Divine displeasure. As God intended to give men a title to the promised blessings…
Abraham didn't ignore the deadness of his body or Sarah's womb; rather, he "considered" them intensely but chose not to let these realities paralyze his faith. The original Greek suggests he "fixed his attention" on these obstacles, but his strength in faith prevented him from letting them diminish his trust in God's promise. This shows that faith isn't about denying difficult realities, but about actively choosing to focus on God's power above them.
Paul is demonstrating how Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness, particularly in relation to God's promise of numerous descendants. This verse highlights Abraham's incredible trust by describing how he ignored the physical impossibilities of him fathering a child and Sarah conceiving, even at their advanced ages. The verses that follow will emphasize that this unwavering faith gave glory to God and fully persuaded him of God's power to fulfill His promises.
Paul is demonstrating how Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness, particularly in relation to God's promise of numerous descendants. This verse highlights Abraham's incredible trust by describing how he ignored the physical impossibilities of him fathering a child and Sarah conceiving, even at their advanced ages. The verses that follow will emphasize that this unwavering faith gave glory to God and fully persuaded him of God's power to fulfill His promises.
"He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb." — Abraham didn't ignore the deadness of his body or Sarah's womb; rather, he "considered" them intensely but chose not to let these realities paralyze his faith. The original Greek suggests he "fixed…
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Last reviewed October 2026