Romans 4:20

20 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 in Other Translations

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

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

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

20 He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God,

20 yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God,

20 He didn't doubt God's promise out of a lack of faith. Instead, giving honor to God [for the promise], he became strong because of faith

20 He did not waver in unbelief at God's promise, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,

20 But he kept believing in God's promise. He became strong in his faith. 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".

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Romans 4:20 In-Context

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

19 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.

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

21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Cross References

• 1. 1 Samuel 30:6
• 2. S Matthew 9:8