Romans 4:17-19 ESV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 4:9-17

St. Paul observes in this paragraph when and why Abraham was thus justified; for he has several things to remark upon that. It was before he was circumcised, and before the giving of the law; and there was a reason for both. I. It was before he was circumcised, Rom. 4:10. His faith was counted to him for righteousness while he was in uncircumcision. It was imputed, Gen. 15:6; and he was not circumcised till Gen. 17:1-27. Abraham is expressly said to be justified by faith fourteen years, some... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 4:17-22

Having observed when Abraham was justified by faith, and why, for the honour of Abraham and for example to us who call him father, the apostle here describes and commends the faith of Abraham, where observe, I. Whom he believed: God who quickeneth. It is God himself that faith fastens upon: other foundation can no man lay. Now observe what in God Abraham's faith had an eye to?to that, certainly, which would be most likely to confirm his faith concerning the things promised:?1. God who... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 4:13-17

4:13-17 It was not through law that there came to Abraham or to his seed the promise that he would inherit the earth, but it came through that right relationship with God which has its origin in faith. If they who are vassals of the law are heirs, then faith is drained of its meaning, and the promise is rendered inoperative; for the law produces wrath, but where law does not exist, neither can transgression exist. So, then, the whole process depends on faith, in order that it may be a matter... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 4:18-25

4:18-25 In hope Abraham believed beyond hope that he would become the father of many nations, as the saying had it, "So will be your seed.?" He did not weaken in his faith, although he was well aware that by this time his body had lost its vitality (for he was a hundred years old), and that the womb of Sarah was without life. He did not in unfaith waver at the promise of God, but he was revitalized by his faith, and he gave glory to God, and he was firmly convinced that he who had made the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:17

As it is written I have made thee a father of many nations ,.... The passage referred to, is in Genesis 17:4 ; which proves him to be a father not of the Jews only, since they cannot be called "many nations", but of the Gentiles also; and which must be understood in a spiritual sense, for Abraham was the father of them, before him whom he believed, even God ; that is, he was so, either in the sight of God, who sees not as man sees; in his account, he was the father of many nations,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:18

Who against hope believed in hope ,.... Abraham believed the promise of God, that he might become the father of many nations , being assisted by a supernatural aid: "in hope"; of the fulfilment of it by the grace and power of God: "against hope": against all visible, rational grounds of hope; Sarah's womb and his own body being dead, but inasmuch as God had said it, he believed: according to that which is spoken, so shall thy seed be ; his faith rested upon the word of God, which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:19

And being not weak in faith ,.... Abraham was not weak in the exercise of his faith, on the promise of God; nor was his faith weakened about the accomplishment of it, neither by the length of time after the promise was made, nor by the seeming insuperable difficulties of nature which attended it; for he considered not his own body now dead . The Alexandrian copy reads without the negative, "he considered his own body now dead", and so the Syriac version: which makes his faith the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:17

As it is written, I have made thee a father - That Abraham's being a father of many nations has relation to the covenant of God made with him, may be seen, Genesis 17:4 , Genesis 17:5 ; : 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 thee, i.e. he was constituted the head of many nations, the Gentile world, by virtue of the covenant,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:18

Who against hope believed in hope - The faith of Abraham bore an exact correspondence to the power and never-failing faithfulness of God; for though, in the ordinary course of things, he had not the best foundation of hope, yet he believed that he should be the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken; namely, that his posterity should be like the stars of heaven for multitude, and like the dust of the earth. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:19

He considered not his own body now dead - He showed at once the correctness and energy of his faith: God cannot lie; Abraham can believe. It is true that, according to the course of nature, he and Sarah are so old that they cannot have children; but God is almighty, and can do whatsoever he will, and will fulfill his promise. This was certainly a wonderful degree of faith; as the promise stated that it was in his posterity that all the nations of the earth were to be blessed; that he had, as... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 4:9-17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 4:17-22

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 4:13-17

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 4:18-25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:19

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