Romans 4:20, Romans 4:21 NIV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:20

He staggered not - He was not moved, or agitated; he steadily and firmly believed the promise.Giving glory to God - Giving honor to God by the firmness with which he believed his promises. His conduct was Such as to honor God; that is, to show Abraham’s conviction that he was worthy of implicit confidence and trust. In this way all who believe in the promises of God do honor to him. They bear testimony to him that he is worthy of confidence. They become so many witnesses in his favor; and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 4:18-22

Romans 4:18-22. Who, &c. In this paragraph the apostle first takes notice of the difficulties which stood in the way of Abraham’s faith, and then of the power and excellence of it, manifested in its triumphing over them. Against hope Against all probability; believed in hope With an assured confidence, grounded on the divine promise; according to all that which was spoken When God called him forth abroad to view the stars of heaven. So shall thy seed be So numerous and glorious.... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Romans 4:1-25

Some examples (4:1-25)To illustrate what he has just been teaching, Paul refers to the example of Abraham. Abraham was justified because of his faith, not because of any good deeds that he did (4:1-3). (To understand the illustrations concerning Abraham that follow, read Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 15:1-6; Genesis 16:1-16; Genesis 17:15-22; Genesis 18:1-15; Genesis 21:1-21.)Righteousness is a gift received by faith, not payment for work that a person does (4-5). David, as well as Abraham, knew that... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Romans 4:20

staggered . Greek. diakrino. App-122 . Compare Matthew 21:21 . through = by. was strong . Greek. endunamoo. See Acts 9:22 . glory . See Romans 1:23 and John 1:14 . read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:20

20. He staggered—hesitated not . . . but was strong in faith, giving glory to God—as able to make good His own word in spite of all obstacles. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:18-22

5. The exemplary value of Abraham’s faith 4:18-22Paul concluded his proof that faith was the only method of justification before the Cross by showing that what Abraham did in trusting God is essentially what everyone must do. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:19-21

Even though Abraham’s faith was stronger at some times than it was at others (cf. Genesis 17:17; Genesis 17:23-27), Paul could say he was not weak in faith (Romans 4:19)."When Paul says that Abraham did not ’doubt . . . because of unbelief,’ he means not that Abraham never had momentary hesitations, but that he avoided a deep-seated and permanent attitude of distrust and inconsistency in relationship to God and his promises." [Note: Moo, pp. 284-85. Cf. James 1:6-8.] The patriarch believed God... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Romans 4:20

4:20 faith, (f-15) 'Found strength in faith' may be rather free, but 'strengthened by faith' might very easily be applied to his body, whereas it means that he was inwardly strengthened by faith. It is, I apprehend, in opposition to 'hesitating through unbelief.' Literally, it is 'gifted with strength.' Abraham was gifted with strength by faith (i.e. inwardly, in contrast with doubt). read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:1-25

Acceptance by Faith foreshadowed in the old DispensationIn Romans 3:21.; St. Paul set forth the great truth of acceptance by faith. A Jew might object that it was new, and therefore not true. In Romans 3:31; St. Paul answered that in the Law and in faith there is the same moral and religious ideal, which is more completely developed and more perfectly fulfilled by faith. Now he turns to the past, to show that acceptance by faith is not a new idea. It was faith for which Abraham was accepted,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Romans 4:1-25

IV.(1-25) The subject of the chapter is an application of the foregoing to the special (and crucial) case of Abraham, with particular reference to two ideas that are continually recurring throughout the last chapter: (1) the supposed superiority of Jew to Gentile (and, à fortiori, of the great progenitor of the Jews); (2) the idea of boasting or glorying based upon this superiority. Following out this the Apostle shows how even Abraham’s case tells, not against, but for the doctrine of... read more