Romans 4 19

Romans 4:19 kjv

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 Sarah's womb:

Romans 4:19 nkjv

And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb.

Romans 4:19 niv

Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead?since he was about a hundred years old?and that Sarah's womb was also dead.

Romans 4:19 esv

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.

Romans 4:19 nlt

And Abraham's faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead ? and so was Sarah's womb.

Romans 4 verses

Romans 4 19 Meaning

Romans 4:19 describes Abraham's robust faith. It highlights that Abraham, even at about one hundred years old, did not let the natural impossibility of his body being "dead" (unable to procreate) or Sarah's womb being barren weaken his belief in God's promise of a son. He actively chose not to fixate on these physical limitations, demonstrating unwavering trust in God's power.

Romans 4 19 Context

Romans chapter 4 is pivotal in Paul's argument for justification by faith, using Abraham as the primary example. Paul establishes that Abraham was declared righteous by God through his belief (Rom 4:3), not by works of the law or by circumcision. The preceding verse (Rom 4:18) sets the stage for 4:19 by stating Abraham "against hope, in hope believed." Romans 4:19 then explains how Abraham exercised this profound faith, specifying that he deliberately disregarded the overwhelming physical evidence of his and Sarah's incapacity because he focused on God's omnipotence to fulfill His promise, as echoed in Rom 4:17 that God "gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not."

Romans 4 19 Word analysis

• And being not weak: (οὐκ ἀσθενήσας - ouk asthenēsas) This Greek phrase means "not having become weak," indicating Abraham's faith did not falter or diminish. It suggests a steadfast, robust, and enduring quality of his belief, actively resisting any tendency toward feebleness or doubt. His faith was strong and unwavering.

• in faith: (τῇ πίστει - tē pistei) This dative form emphasizes "faith" as the sphere or means through which Abraham operated. His steadfastness was anchored in his reliance on God.

• he considered not: (οὐ κατενόησεν - ou katenoēsen) This strong Greek verb, katanoeō, means "to fix one's mind upon," "to perceive clearly," "to take full account of." The negation "ou" signifies that Abraham refused to dwell on, or deeply observe and accept, the physical facts as determinative. It implies a conscious, active choice not to let these realities undermine his trust in God. It was not ignorance of the facts, but a resolute spiritual turning away from them as ultimate reality.

• his own body now dead: (τὸ ἑαυτοῦ σῶμα νενεκρωμένον - to heautou sōma nenekrōmenon) "Nenekrōmenon" is a perfect passive participle meaning "having been made dead" or "rendered powerless/impotent." This indicates a complete, definite, and undeniable state of physical incapacitation for procreation due to old age. It points to a literal, irreversible physiological condition.

• when he was about an hundred years old: (ἑκατονταετής που ὑπάρχων - hekatontaetēs pou huparchōn) This specific age highlights the extreme natural impossibility of the promised son's birth. It serves to underscore the miraculous nature of God's act and the extraordinary nature of Abraham's faith in believing it.

• neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: (καὶ τὴν νέκρωσιν τῆς μήτρας Σάρρας - kai tēn nekrōsin tēs mētras Sarras) "Nekrōsin" means "deadness," "mortification," or "state of death." This parallels Abraham's condition, emphasizing Sarah's similar and absolute physiological inability to conceive and bear children due to old age and menopause.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And being not weak in faith... he considered not...": This phrase vividly contrasts Abraham's robust internal spiritual state (strong faith) with his outward action (not giving weight to obstacles). It portrays faith not as a passive sentiment but as an active, conscious decision to set one's mind on God's truth, rather than human limitations.

  • "his own body now dead... neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb": These clauses collectively articulate the overwhelming physical reality Abraham confronted. The emphasis on "deadness" highlights the absolute nature of the physiological impossibility for both Abraham and Sarah, setting the stage for God's supernatural intervention to be recognized as pure grace and omnipotence, not a natural process. This radical human impotence glorifies divine power.

Romans 4 19 Bonus section

The "deadness" of Abraham's body and Sarah's womb serves as a tangible metaphor within Romans 4 for the spiritual "deadness" of humanity outside of Christ (Eph 2:1, Col 2:13). Just as God brought physical life from a biologically impossible situation for Abraham, He brings spiritual life (justification and new birth) to those who are spiritually "dead" in sin. Abraham's faith is a prototype for how a sinner must come to God: acknowledging one's absolute spiritual inability and trusting solely in God's power to make alive. This verse underscores the radical, supernatural nature of God's work in both physical and spiritual salvation.

Romans 4 19 Commentary

Romans 4:19 powerfully exemplifies what it means to trust God's promises regardless of human impossibility. Abraham did not ignore the daunting physical realities of his and Sarah's advanced ages and barrenness; rather, he actively chose not to fixate on them. His faith was robust because it rested not on his or Sarah's capacity, but solely on God's omnipotent ability to bring life from that which was "dead" (as referenced in Rom 4:17). This unwavering belief in God's creative power and faithfulness in spite of all natural evidence is precisely the type of faith Paul presents as fundamental to righteousness. It challenges believers to transcend a naturalistic worldview and wholly depend on God for the fulfillment of His divine purposes, demonstrating that true faith does not deny reality, but transcends it by resting in a greater Reality: the living God. For instance, just as Abraham looked beyond physical infertility, a believer trusts God for provision beyond current lack, or for spiritual victory when circumstances seem overwhelming, grounding their hope in God's infinite power and not finite human conditions.