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James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 4:18

Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken.Paul in these words was showing the quality of Abraham's faith, which consisted in this, that he truly believed God, even though God's words were contrary to all natural and human expectations. Abraham was old, and Sarah's womb was dead, but he believed God, believing that, indeed, he would become the father of many nations. This quality of believing in "things... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 4:19

And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.These three verses are a restatement in depth of what Paul had already written in Romans 4:18, and are a further elaboration of Abraham's... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:17

Romans 4:17. As it is written, &c.— That Abraham's being the father of many nations, has relation to the covenant that God made with him, may be seen Genesis 17:4-5. Behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations: neither shall thy name any more be called Abram; but thy name shall be Abraham: for a father of many nations have I made or constituted thee, by virtue of my covenant with thee. Dr. Doddridge, instead of, before him whom he believed, even God, reads,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:17

17. As it is written, &c.— (Genesis 17:5). This is quoted to justify his calling Abraham the "father of us all," and is to be viewed as a parenthesis. before—that is, "in the reckoning of." him whom he believed—that is, "Thus Abraham, in the reckoning of Him whom he believed, is the father of us all, in order that all may be assured, that doing as he did, they shall be treated as he was." even God, quickeneth the dead—The nature and greatness of that faith of Abraham which we are to copy is... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:18

18-22. Who against hope—when no ground for hope appeared. believed in hope—that is, cherished the believing expectation. that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be—that is, Such "as the stars of heaven," Genesis 15:5. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:19

19. he considered not, &c.—paid no attention to those physical obstacles, both in himself and in Sarah, which might seem to render the fulfilment hopeless. 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

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:21

21. And being fully persuaded, &c.—that is, the glory which Abraham's faith gave to God consisted in this, that, firm in the persuasion of God's ability to fulfil his promise, no difficulties shook him. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:13-17

4. The priority of faith to the promise concerning headship of many nations 4:13-17The Jews believed that they had a claim on Abraham that Gentiles did not have. Obviously he was the father of their nation, and this did place him in a unique relationship to his physical descendants. However, they incorrectly concluded that all the blessings that God had promised Abraham would come to them alone. Paul reminded his readers that part of God’s promised blessing to Abraham was that he would be the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:17

Paul described God as he did here in harmony with the promise he cited. God gave the ability to father many nations to Abraham when his reproductive powers were dead. God summoned yet uncreated nations as He had summoned the yet uncreated cosmos, namely, with a word, in this case a promise (cf. Hebrews 11:3; 2 Peter 3:5). [Note: Cranfield, 1:246.] Another view is that God named or addressed these uncreated nations even though they did not yet exist. The interpretation hinges on the meaning of... read more

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