Romans 4:19-20
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Abraham didn't let the reality of his aged, "dead" body or Sarah's barrenness shake his faith because the text implies he did acknowledge these facts, but he actively chose not to dwell on them as obstacles to God's promise. Instead, he focused intently on God's faithfulness, demonstrating that true faith isn't about ignoring problems but about resolutely fixing one's gaze on God despite 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. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is building his case for salvation by faith, not by works of the law, using Abraham as the prime example. He's just argued that Abraham's faith was credited as righteousness long before circumcision, which became a ritual law. Now, Paul emphasizes the incredible strength of Abraham's faith by highlighting how he faced seemingly impossible circumstances with unwavering belief in God's promise.
We all face situations that seem impossible. How does true faith respond when faced with the stark reality of our limitations?
Paul highlights Abraham's incredible faith by contrasting it with what he didn't do. Though Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was long past childbearing, he didn't dwell on these physical impossibilities.
The Power of Focusing Upward
Faith isn't just a passive feeling; it's an active force that overcomes doubt. What made Abraham's faith so powerful?
Paul emphasizes that Abraham's faith was not weak, but actively strong. This wasn't a fleeting moment of hope, but a deep-seated confidence in God.
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More Than Just Hope
Understand the original words
apistia · Greek Noun
The state of lacking belief or a failure to trust in God's promises and character. It is portrayed as a refusal to align one's mind and heart with the truth of God's revealed word.
doxa · Greek Noun
The act of acknowledging and declaring the true character, holiness, and majesty of God. It involves a posture of total surrender and praise that recognizes God's sovereignty and faithfulness in every situation.
This verse highlights Abraham's incredible faith, not because he *didn't* notice the physical impossibilities of having a child at his and Sarah's age, but because he acknowledged them and *still* trusted God's promise. It reveals a faith that sees beyond natural limitations to the power of God.
c. 2091 BC— this verse
God's Promise to Abraham
God promises Abraham that he will have countless descendants and that through his line, all nations will be blessed, a promise reiterated and confirmed multiple times.
c. 2091 BC
Abraham's Age 99, Sarah's 90
At this point, Abraham is 99 years old and Sarah is 90. Neither has shown the capacity for childbirth for many years, and Sarah is well past menopause.
c. 2091 BC
Abraham Circumcised
God commands Abraham to circumcise himself and all males in his household as a sign of the covenant, marking a significant step in the covenant's physical manifestation.
c. 2078 BC
Birth of Isaac
Against all natural expectations, Isaac is born to Abraham (now 100 years old) and Sarah (90 years old), demonstrating God's faithfulness to His promise.
This passage directly links Sarah's conception to faith, mirroring Abraham's faith in Romans 4 by highlighting the extraordinary nature of her ability to conceive in old age.
Genesis 15:5-6This is the foundational moment Paul refers to, where Abraham's immediate belief in God's promise, despite seemingly impossible circumstances, is explicitly stated, demonstrating the 'strong faith' described in Romans 4.
Romans 4:20-21These verses immediately follow Romans 4:19 and further expound on Abraham's faith, emphasizing that he was 'fully convinced' and gave glory to God, providing the positive affirmation of the faith initially described negatively in 4:19.
Genesis 17:15-17This passage details God's reiteration of the promise to Abraham, including the specific mention of Sarah's age and the naming of the child, reinforcing the context of the miraculous circumstances Abraham's faith overcame.
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 let the reality of his aged, "dead" body or Sarah's barrenness shake his faith because the text implies he did acknowledge these facts, but he actively chose not to dwell on them as obstacles to God's promise. Instead, he focused intently on God's faithfulness, demonstrating that true faith isn't about ignoring problems but about resolutely fixing one's gaze on God despite them.
Paul is building his case for salvation by faith, not by works of the law, using Abraham as the prime example. He's just argued that Abraham's faith was credited as righteousness long before circumcision, which became a ritual law. Now, Paul emphasizes the incredible strength of Abraham's faith by highlighting how he faced seemingly impossible circumstances with unwavering belief in God's promise.
Paul is building his case for salvation by faith, not by works of the law, using Abraham as the prime example. He's just argued that Abraham's faith was credited as righteousness long before circumcision, which became a ritual law. Now, Paul emphasizes the incredible strength of Abraham's faith by highlighting how he faced seemingly impossible circumstances with unwavering belief in God's promise.
"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. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God,…" — Abraham didn't let the reality of his aged, "dead" body or Sarah's barrenness shake his faith because the text implies he did acknowledge these facts, but he actively chose not to dwell on them as…
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Last reviewed October 2026
