Romans 4:19-21
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, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What Paul doesn't emphasize here is just as important as what he does. While it's often read that Abraham ignored his body and Sarah's womb, the strongest ancient manuscripts suggest he did consider these impossibilities, but his faith didn't falter because of them. This highlights that true faith doesn't deny reality; it simply refuses to let impossible circumstances dictate its trust in God.
Paul is explaining how Abraham's faith, not his works or the Law, made him righteous in God's eyes. He's highlighting Abraham's incredible trust in God's promise to give him descendants, even when natural circumstances made it utterly impossible. This section emphasizes that Abraham’s faith was active and unwavering, not passive, as he faced overwhelming biological realities.
Ever felt like a situation was just too impossible to overcome? Abraham faced something similar, but his faith took a different route.
Paul highlights Abraham's incredible faith by showing what he didn't do.
Not Dwelling on Obstacles
Abraham considered his own body, which was as good as dead due to his age (around 100 years old), and Sarah's barren womb. The original Greek word for 'considered' here suggests a deep, attentive looking. It's not that he was ignorant of these facts – they were stark realities.
The Power of Focusing Upward
However, instead of letting these physical impossibilities paralyze him, Abraham refused to let them weaken his faith. He didn't dwell on the natural limitations. His faith wasn't based on what he could see or what seemed logical. It was rooted in God's promise and God's power, which he believed far surpassed any physical impediment.
Is faith something that just is, or can it actually grow stronger when tested?
Paul makes a crucial point about Abraham's faith: it wasn't just present; it was strong in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
The Choice to Believe
Abraham's situation was dire. He was 100 years old, and Sarah, 90, had long passed the age of childbearing. Medically speaking, conception was impossible. Many might have understandably felt their faith weakening, questioning God's promise.
Active Faith in Action
But the text says, 'being not weak in faith.' This implies an active resistance to doubt. Instead of letting the 'deadness' of his body and Sarah's womb defeat his belief, Abraham’s faith was strengthened. He chose to believe God's power over his own physical limitations. This wasn't passive acceptance; it was an active, robust trust that declared God's ability to do the impossible. He gave glory to God by believing His Word completely.
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.
plērophorētheis · Greek Verb
Being completely certain or persuaded in one's mind, often implying an unshakable trust in God's reliability and power.
Theos · Greek Noun
The sovereign Creator and Ruler of the universe, the only true object of saving faith.
This verse highlights Abraham's incredible faith, not in ignoring the physical impossibilities of having a child at his and Sarah's advanced age, but in actively choosing to focus on God's promise despite those realities. The timeline shows that this promise was made decades before Isaac's birth, requiring immense, sustained trust through years of waiting and seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
~2091 BC— this verse
God's Promise to Abraham
God promises Abraham in Genesis 15 that he will have many descendants, stating, "He brought him outside and said, 'Look toward heaven, and number the stars if you are able to number them.' Then he said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.' And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness."
~2082 BC
Circumcision Instituted
God establishes a covenant sign with Abraham, requiring circumcision for all males and reiterating the promise of numerous descendants. Abraham is 99 years old.
~2081 BC
Birth of Ishmael
Abraham's son Ishmael is born to Sarah's servant Hagar, when Abraham is 99 years old. This occurs after Sarah, impatient with the delay of the promised heir, suggests this solution.
~2076 BC
Birth of Isaac
This passage directly links Sarah's faith to conceiving by recounting God's faithfulness to His promise, mirroring Abraham's own faith in the face of natural impossibilities.
Genesis 17:17This is the immediate context where Abraham laughs at the promise of a son due to his own age and Sarah's barrenness, showing the very real human obstacles that Paul highlights Abraham's faith overcoming.
Genesis 18:11-14This shows Sarah's reaction to the same promise, highlighting her own doubt and laughter, which underscores the extraordinary nature of Abraham's unwavering faith in Romans 4.
Romans 4:20-21These verses directly follow, explaining *how* Abraham's faith wasn't weakened: he didn't waver or doubt God's promise but grew strong in faith and gave glory to God.
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…
What Paul doesn't emphasize here is just as important as what he does. While it's often read that Abraham ignored his body and Sarah's womb, the strongest ancient manuscripts suggest he did consider these impossibilities, but his faith didn't falter because of them. This highlights that true faith doesn't deny reality; it simply refuses to let impossible circumstances dictate its trust in God.
Paul is explaining how Abraham's faith, not his works or the Law, made him righteous in God's eyes. He's highlighting Abraham's incredible trust in God's promise to give him descendants, even when natural circumstances made it utterly impossible. This section emphasizes that Abraham’s faith was active and unwavering, not passive, as he faced overwhelming biological realities.
Paul is explaining how Abraham's faith, not his works or the Law, made him righteous in God's eyes. He's highlighting Abraham's incredible trust in God's promise to give him descendants, even when natural circumstances made it utterly impossible. This section emphasizes that Abraham’s faith was active and unwavering, not passive, as he faced overwhelming biological realities.
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epēngeltai · Greek Verb
A formal declaration or covenantal pledge given by God, upon which the believer rests their hope and confidence.
Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah when Abraham is 100 years old and Sarah is 90. This fulfills God's promise of a son through Sarah.
"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,…" — What Paul doesn't emphasize here is just as important as what he does. While it's often read that Abraham ignored his body and Sarah's womb, the strongest ancient manuscripts suggest he did con…
