Romans 4:20

20 He did not by lack of trust decide against God's promises. On the contrary, by trust he was given power as he gave glory to God,

Romans 4:20 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 4:20

He staggered not at the promise of God
There is no reason to stagger at, or hesitate about any of the promises of God, since they are made by him that cannot lie; his faithfulness is engaged to perform them; with him all things are possible; every promise is in Christ, yea and amen, and never did any fail; and yet so it is, that some of God's children,

through unbelief,
do stagger at the promises of God; thinking either that they are too great for them, or demur upon them through difficulties which attend them:

but
so did not Abraham, he

was strong in faith;
nothing moved him, no difficulties discouraged him, he made no demur upon the promise, nor had the least hesitation in his mind about the accomplishment of it; but was fully assured that so it would be, as God had said; and thus he was

giving glory to God;
ascribing to him the glory of his veracity, faithfulness, power, grace, and goodness, as all such who are strong in faith do; such persons bring the most glory to God, and are the most comfortable in their own souls. This phrase, (atwnmyhmb apqttal) , "to be strong" or strengthened, or strengthen themselves "in faith", is to be met with in Jewish writings F21, and is particularly used of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; all the tribes of Israel are not said to be (Mtnwmab Myqzx) , "strong in their faith"; only the tribe of Levi, when Moses stood in the gate and said, "who is on the Lord's side, let him come unto me", ( Exodus 32:26 ) : whoever is (wtnwmab qzx) , "strong in his faith" F23; and there were none in all Israel but the tribe of Levi, who were "strong in their faith".


FOOTNOTES:

F21 Zohar in Gen. fol. 83. 4.
F23 Tzeror Hammor, fol. 87. 4.

Romans 4:20 In-Context

18 For he was past hope, yet in hope he trusted that he would indeed become a father to many nations, in keeping with what he had been told, "So many will your seed be."
19 His trust did not waver when he considered his own body - which was as good as dead, since he was about a hundred years old - or when he considered that Sarah's womb was dead too.
20 He did not by lack of trust decide against God's promises. On the contrary, by trust he was given power as he gave glory to God,
21 for he was fully convinced that what God had promised he could also accomplish.
22 This is why it was credited to his account as righteousness.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.