Romans 4 20

Romans 4:20 kjv

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Romans 4:20 nkjv

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,

Romans 4:20 niv

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,

Romans 4:20 esv

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,

Romans 4:20 nlt

Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.

Romans 4 verses

Romans 4 20 Meaning

Romans 4:20 describes Abraham's profound faith in God's promise. It highlights that Abraham did not waver or hesitate in his belief concerning God's ability to fulfill His word, even when circumstances seemed impossible. Instead, his faith grew strong, and through this unwavering trust, he gave glory and honor to God, acknowledging His power and truthfulness.

Romans 4 20 Context

Romans 4:20 is embedded in Paul's profound theological argument in the letter to the Romans, particularly within Chapter 4, which is dedicated to establishing the doctrine of justification by faith. Having declared in Romans 3 that all, both Jew and Gentile, are justified freely by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ apart from works of the Law, Paul then turns to Abraham as the foundational proof.

Abraham, revered by Jewish people as their patriarch, lived centuries before the Law of Moses was given. Paul meticulously argues that Abraham was declared righteous not by his works, nor by his circumcision (which occurred later in his life), but because "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness" (Gen 15:6, quoted in Rom 4:3). Romans 4:20 specifically describes the quality and object of Abraham's faith concerning God's incredible promise of numerous descendants, despite his and Sarah's advanced age and physical incapacity (Rom 4:19). Paul emphasizes that Abraham’s faith was not merely an intellectual assent, but a deep, unwavering trust in God’s power to bring about the impossible. This stands in stark contrast to reliance on human effort, lineage, or religious rituals for acceptance by God, a common polemic Paul addresses. Abraham’s faith, therefore, becomes the pattern for all who are justified—Jews and Gentiles alike—through faith in God, ultimately looking to the God who raises the dead and gives life (Rom 4:17).

Romans 4 20 Word analysis

• He staggered not: Greek: ou diakrithē (οὐ διακρίθη).

  • Ou is a strong negation, meaning "not at all."
  • Diakrithē comes from diakrinō, which signifies to separate, differentiate, judge, doubt, or waver. In this context, it speaks of a lack of internal debate, hesitation, or critical questioning concerning God's ability or faithfulness. Abraham did not engage in self-debate or allow skepticism to creep in regarding the promise.
  • Significance: His faith was firm and undivided. It highlights the opposite of a mind double-minded or tossed to and fro.

• at the promise of God: Greek: tē epangelia tou Theou (τῇ ἐπαγγελίᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ).

  • Epangelia refers to a solemn declaration, an announcement, or specifically, a divine promise. Here, it denotes God's covenantal pledge to Abraham regarding a multitudinous offspring (Gen 15:5, 17:5-8).
  • Tou Theou signifies that the promise originates directly from God Himself, underscoring its divine authority, truthfulness, and guaranteed fulfillment.
  • Significance: The focus is on the trustworthiness of the promiser (God), not the recipient's ability.

• through unbelief: Greek: tē apistia (τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ).

  • Apistia means "unbelief" or "faithlessness." It's not just a lack of knowledge but a refusal to trust or act upon what is known or declared.
  • Paul uses this to describe the path through which staggering could have occurred. Abraham actively avoided this path.
  • Significance: Unbelief is presented as a negative force that undermines trust and could lead to failure in the face of God's promises. Abraham resisted this.

• but was strong: Greek: all' enedynamōthē (ἀλλ' ἐνεδυναμώθη).

  • All' is a strong adversative "but," marking a clear contrast to "staggered through unbelief."
  • Enedynamōthē is the aorist passive indicative of dynamoō, meaning "to be strengthened" or "to be empowered." The passive voice suggests that his strength was not purely an intrinsic human effort but also a receiving of divine strength, or allowing God to strengthen him in his faith.
  • Significance: Abraham’s faith was dynamic and robust, possibly fortified by God Himself. This strength enabled him to endure against all contrary evidence.

• in faith: Greek: tē pistei (τῇ πίστει).

  • Pistei means "by faith" or "in faith." It denotes the means or sphere through which his strength was realized and exercised.
  • Significance: Faith is not weak; it is the channel through which divine strength is accessed and manifests. It contrasts with "through unbelief."

• giving glory to God: Greek: dous doxan tō Theō (δοὺς δόξαν τῷ Θεῷ).

  • Dous is the aorist active participle of didōmi, meaning "giving" or "having given." It implies a direct action.
  • Doxan means "glory," which encompasses honor, praise, renown, and divine majesty.
  • Tō Theō means "to God."
  • Significance: True faith naturally results in giving glory to God. By believing in God's power and faithfulness against all odds, Abraham acknowledged God's greatness and ultimate sovereignty, thus bringing Him honor. Faith acts as worship.

Words-group analysis:

• "He staggered not... through unbelief": This phrase speaks to the internal resolve and intellectual fortitude of Abraham. Despite overwhelming natural evidence to the contrary (Rom 4:19 mentions his dead body and Sarah's barrenness), Abraham’s mind was not divided or assailed by doubt that would negate God's promise. It emphasizes an active resistance to internal skepticism, attributing a certain unwavering clarity and determination to his belief.

• "but was strong in faith": This juxtaposes a negative description ("not staggered") with a positive, active one. His strength was in faith, suggesting that faith itself was the very medium or source of his robustness. This wasn't merely a passive acceptance but an energized conviction that found its power and resilience through his relationship of trust with God. It points to the empowering nature of genuine faith, which overcomes apparent weakness or impossibility.

• "giving glory to God": This highlights the ultimate outcome and purpose of Abraham’s unwavering faith. His faith was not self-serving but God-centered. By believing what God said, regardless of natural impossibilities, Abraham affirmed God's truthfulness, omnipotence, and faithfulness. This act of belief was an act of worship and adoration, as it gave God the recognition and honor due to His character as the one who speaks and creates. It establishes a profound link between saving faith and reverential worship.

Romans 4 20 Bonus section

The context of Abraham’s faith described here is crucial: he was a very old man, and Sarah was well past child-bearing age. Romans 4:19 notes he considered "his own body, now as good as dead," and "the barrenness of Sarah's womb." This highlights that Abraham's faith was not based on any residual human capacity but entirely on the God who "gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that do not exist" (Rom 4:17). This speaks to the absolute sovereignty of God, whose power is demonstrated through human inability, preventing any boast in human strength or effort. Therefore, Abraham’s strength "in faith" was fundamentally a strength derived from relying solely on God's omnipotence and faithfulness, recognizing that with God, nothing is impossible. This level of trust directly confronts and defeats "unbelief," which typically stems from judging God's promise by human limitations. His act of giving glory to God reinforces that true faith acknowledges God as the ultimate and exclusive source of life, power, and the fulfillment of promises.

Romans 4 20 Commentary

Romans 4:20 stands as a pinnacle declaration of what true, God-honoring faith looks like, exemplified by Abraham. It goes beyond mere intellectual assent, portraying faith as a robust, active trust that stands firm even when logic and natural circumstances scream impossibility. Abraham’s faith was not passive wishful thinking; rather, it actively resisted doubt ("staggered not through unbelief") and was fortified ("was strong in faith"), perhaps even divinely strengthened. This strength stemmed from recognizing God's omnipotent ability to bring His word to pass. The supreme result and evidence of this profound faith was "giving glory to God." When believers fully trust in God's power and promise against all odds, they are implicitly, and often explicitly, declaring His greatness, truthfulness, and absolute sovereignty. This act of believing the unbelievable brings Him the highest honor, acknowledging that His power transcends human limitations and logical reasoning. Thus, Abraham’s faith, described in this verse, serves as the archetype for how all believers—weak in themselves yet strong in faith—are to appropriate God’s promises and thereby glorify Him.

• Examples: A person facing a terminal illness who continues to praise God for His sovereignty and goodness, trusting His ultimate plan, glorifies God through faith. Missionaries going to dangerous places, trusting God for protection and provision against overwhelming odds, demonstrate such faith. Believers in seemingly unredeemable family situations, yet consistently praying and trusting God for transformation, give Him glory through their tenacious faith.