Romans 4:19-21 NIV

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 4:18-25

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 4:19

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:21

And being fully persuaded ,.... He had not only faith, a strong faith, but full assurance of faith: that what he God had promised ; though it was so long ago, and there were so many difficulties in the way; he was able , being the Lord God Almighty, to perform ; so his faith rested upon the power of God, with whom nothing is impossible. 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:21

And being fully persuaded - πληροφορηθεις , his measure: his soul was full of confidence, that the truth of God bound him to fulfill his promise and his power enabled him to do it. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:19

Verse 19 19.In faith, etc. If you prefer to omit one of the negatives you may render it thus, “Being weak in faith, he considered not his own body,” etc.; but this makes no sense. He indeed shows now more fully what might have hindered, yea, and wholly turned Abraham aside from receiving the promise. A seed from Sarah was promised to him at a time when he was not by nature fit for generating, nor Sarah for conceiving. Whatever he could see as to himself was opposed to the accomplishment of the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:20

Verse 20 20.Nor did he through unbelief make an inquiry, etc. Though I do not follow the old version, nor [Erasmus ], yet my rendering is not given without reason. The Apostle seems to have had this in view, — That Abraham did not try to find out, by weighing the matter in the balance of unbelief, whether the Lord was able to perform what he had promised. What is properly to inquire or to search into anything, is to examine it through diffidence or mistrust, and to be unwilling to admit what... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:21

Verse 21 21.That what he had promised, etc. As all men acknowledge God’s power, Paul seems to say nothing very extraordinary of the faith of Abraham; but experience proves, that nothing is more uncommon, or more difficult, than to ascribe to God’s power the honor which it deserves. There is in deed no obstacle, however small and insignificant, by which the flesh imagines the hand of God is restrained from working. Hence it is, that in the slightest trials, the promises of God slide away from... read more

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 4:21

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:19

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:20

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 4:21

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