Romans 4:20-21
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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Instead of just not doubting, Abraham's faith actively demonstrated God's trustworthiness. By staying completely convinced of God's promise, even when it seemed impossible, he essentially declared God's character true and powerful for all to see. This wasn't passive belief; it was an act that honored God by trusting Him completely.
Paul is explaining how Abraham's faith, particularly his belief in God's promise of descendants despite his and Sarah's old age, was counted to him as righteousness. This highlights that faith isn't about the absence of doubt, but about trusting God's power and faithfulness even when circumstances seem impossible. Abraham's unwavering belief demonstrated his complete confidence in God's character and ability to fulfill His word.
We often think of faith as just believing that something is true. But Abraham's faith was much more active. What does it mean to trust God's promises?
The verse highlights a crucial aspect of faith: it's not merely intellectual agreement, but a deep, active trust that reshapes how we see our circumstances. The original language for 'waver' suggests a mental struggle, a wrestling with doubt.
Moving Beyond Doubt
Instead of getting stuck in the 'what ifs,' Abraham chose to focus on God's character and His word. He wasn't passively waiting for things to make sense; he was actively holding onto God's promise despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
The Core of Trust
This active trust is what the commentaries point to. It's not just assenting to a fact, but personally entrusting yourself to the Promiser. It's acknowledging God's ability and willingness to fulfill His word, even when it seems impossible.
The verse says Abraham gave glory to God. How does our faith, especially in difficult circumstances, bring honor to God?
Abraham's unwavering faith wasn't just for his own benefit; it was a profound act of worship that honored God.
Honoring God's Truth and Power
When we trust God's promises, especially when logic and circumstances scream otherwise, we are essentially saying, 'God, You are true, and You are powerful enough to do this.' This acknowledgment is what it means to 'give glory to God.' It's a recognition of His inherent worthiness and His faithfulness.
Faith as a Witness
Our confident trust becomes a testimony to God's character. It demonstrates to ourselves, to others, and even to the spiritual realm that God is indeed reliable and worthy of absolute confidence. It silences the voice of unbelief by loudly proclaiming God's truth.
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.
Paul highlights Abraham's unwavering faith in the promise of a son, even when his and Sarah's bodies were physically incapable of conception. This wasn't a passive acceptance, but an active trust that glorified God by acknowledging His power over natural limitations, occurring decades before the Law and the Exodus, underscoring that righteousness comes through faith, not works.
c. 2091 BC
God's Covenant with Abram
God establishes a covenant with Abram (later Abraham), promising him numerous descendants and that through him all nations would be blessed.
c. 2091 BC
Abram's Faith Imputed as Righteousness
Abram believes God's promise regarding his descendants, and this faith is credited to him as righteousness, even before any physical sign or the law is given.
c. 2090 BC
The Sign of Circumcision Instituted
God commands Abram to circumcise himself and his household, establishing circumcision as a physical sign of the covenant. Abraham is 99 years old.
c. 2090 BC
Abeimelech and Sarah
Abraham, fearing for his life in Gerar, tells King Abimelech that Sarah is his sister. Abimelech takes her, but God warns him in a dream, and Abraham explains Sarah is his wife, the daughter of his father but not his mother.
This passage directly states that Abraham believed the Lord, and it was counted to him as righteousness, directly paralleling the idea in Romans 4:20 that his faith was strong and gave glory to God.
Hebrews 11:11This verse highlights Sarah's faith in conceiving by faith, mirroring Abraham's steadfast belief in God's promises even when circumstances seemed impossible.
Joshua 14:7Caleb's steadfastness and unwavering trust in God's promise, even after many years and facing giants, echoes Abraham's strength of faith in Romans 4:20.
Luke 1:37The angel's declaration to Mary, 'For with God nothing shall be impossible,' directly supports the concept that Abraham's faith was grounded in the omnipotence of God, as described in Romans 4:20.
John 11:40Jesus' words to Martha about seeing the glory of God if she believed are a powerful echo of how Abraham's strong faith brought glory to God.
cambridgeRomans 4:20: "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;"
20–21 . he staggered not , &c.] The Gr. suggests the paraphrase; “he looked away from his own physical state, only at the Promise, and did not doubt its terms—just because they were the Promise. So he rose in a great effort and exercise of faith, which consisted in giving glory to God (the ‘glory’ of absolute and adoring trust in Him as God); in being perfectly sure of His abili…
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…
Instead of just not doubting, Abraham's faith actively demonstrated God's trustworthiness. By staying completely convinced of God's promise, even when it seemed impossible, he essentially declared God's character true and powerful for all to see. This wasn't passive belief; it was an act that honored God by trusting Him completely.
Paul is explaining how Abraham's faith, particularly his belief in God's promise of descendants despite his and Sarah's old age, was counted to him as righteousness. This highlights that faith isn't about the absence of doubt, but about trusting God's power and faithfulness even when circumstances seem impossible. Abraham's unwavering belief demonstrated his complete confidence in God's character and ability to fulfill His word.
Paul is explaining how Abraham's faith, particularly his belief in God's promise of descendants despite his and Sarah's old age, was counted to him as righteousness. This highlights that faith isn't about the absence of doubt, but about trusting God's power and faithfulness even when circumstances seem impossible. Abraham's unwavering belief demonstrated his complete confidence in God's character and ability to fulfill His word.
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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.
c. 2089 BC— this verse
The Birth of Isaac
Despite Abraham being 100 years old and Sarah 90, Isaac is born, fulfilling God's promise and demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites are delivered from slavery in Egypt, a pivotal event that demonstrates God's power and faithfulness to His promises made to Abraham's descendants.
c. 1445 BC
Giving of the Law at Sinai
God gives the Mosaic Law to the Israelites, a covenant based on obedience, which contrasts with the earlier covenant of promise given through faith.
"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." — Instead of just not doubting, Abraham's faith actively demonstrated God's trustworthiness. By staying completely convinced of God's promise, even when it seemed impossible, he essentially declared Go…
