Deadness (3500) (nekrosis - see nekroo; English = necrosis {medical term describing a localized death of cells most often secondary to interruption of the blood supply}, necrotic) describes a putting to death or state of death. In this context describes the result of putting to death and thus means "deadness" or the state of being virtually dead. Sarah herself was of course not dead but in respect to her womb was in essence "dead" describing her barrenness or inability to bear children as a result of being post-menopausal. In the only other NT use nekrosis is used figuratively to describe the act of killing or putting to death, Paul writing that he was... always carrying about in the body the dying (nekrosis) of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (2Cor 4:10) (Comment: Death to self is the way of victory. As believers suffer for the sake of Christ, His very vital life is manifested in and through such a vessel of honor. see notes on "Christ...our life" Colossians 3:4) Nekrosis was a Greek medical term for the mortification of a member or the body. TDNT states that it... It means among physicians the withering or mortification of the body or of a sick member. (Ibid) Womb (3388) (metra from meter = mother) means the uterus, a specific area of female reproduction where the fertilized egg is implanted and undergoes embryogenesis. Sarah was only 10 years younger than Abraham (Ge 17:17), 90 years old (well past childbearing age) when they received the promise of Isaac. Moses records... Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; Sarah was past childbearing. And Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" And the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?' "Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son." (Ge 18:11-14) Romans 4:20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, (NASB: Lockman) Greek: eis de ten epaggelian tou theou ou diekrithe (3SAPI) te apistia all' enedunamothe (3SAPI) te pistei, dous (AAPMSN) doxan to theo Amplified: Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. (Amplified Bible - Lockman) NLT: Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. (NLT - Tyndale House) Phillips: Yet he refused to allow any distrust of a definite pronouncement of God to make him waver. He drew strength from his faith, and while giving the glory to God, (Phillips: Touchstone) Wuest: Moreover, in view of the promise of God, he did not vacillate in the sphere of unbelief between two mutually exclusive expectations but was strengthened with respect to his faith, having given glory to God, (Eerdmans) Young's Literal: yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, ABRAHAM'S FAITH IN GOD'S PROMISE OF A SON ABRAHAM'S AGE PASSAGE EVENT 75 Genesis 12 Called by God from Haran 86 Genesis 15:6 Abraham Justified by Faith 99 Genesis 17 Abraham Circumcised 100 Genesis 21 Isaac is born YET, WITH RESPECT TO THE PROMISE OF GOD HE DID NOT WAVER IN UNBELIEF: eis de ten epaggelian tou theou ou diekrithe (3SAPI) te apistia: (Nu 11:13-23; 2Ki 7:2,19; 2Chr 20:15-20; Isa 7:9; Jer 32:16-27; Luke 1:18,45) Literally Abraham “did not doubt the promise of God (of a son, an heir) by unbelief”. Paul is not saying that Abraham never had momentary hesitations, but that he avoided a deep-seated, permanent attitude of distrust in the promises of God. Abraham believed God in the face of discouraging facts and despite the knowledge that what God had promised could not happen naturally. In fact Paul says Abraham actually grew stronger in faith as time passed. Promise (1860) (epaggelia form epí = intensifier or upon + aggéllo = tell, declare) describes an announcement made with certainty as to its performance. In secular Greek it was primarily a legal term denoting summons or a promise to do or give something. In the NT, epaggelia is with rare exception (except Acts 23:21) used only of the promises of God, referring to a thing promised, gift or graciously given, and not a pledge secured by negotiation Not (3756) (ou) absolute negation. He absolutely did not waver. Waver (1252) (diakrino from diá = separation + kríno = judge, decide) means literally to separate one from another. Metaphorically, diakrino means to distinguish, discern, judge, decide, and came to mean to be divided in one’s mind, to hesitate and to doubt. In the present verse diakrino means to to think that something may not be true or certain and thus to waver, doubt or be divided in one's own mind. In a number of languages `doubt' is expressed by means of idioms, for example, `to have two thoughts' or `to think only perhaps' or `to believe only a little' or `to question one's heart about.' Godet explains diakrino, noting that it... properly signifies to be parted, or to be divided into two men, one affirming, the other denying; one hoping and giving himself up, the other waiting to see: “but in regard to the promise, there was no division in him.” (Godet, F: The Epistle of St Paul to the Romans) The idea of diakrino is that Abraham was not divided, did not vacillate between two opinions, between belief and unbelief or between faith and doubt like many believers do. When from the human viewpoint things are going well, it is easy to trust God. But when things seem impossible, it is often easier to not to trust Him. Don't misunderstand. A struggling faith is not necessarily a doubting faith, any more than temptation to sin is not actually sin. Tests of our faith are designed to strengthen our faith, not to strip us of faith. Abraham was tested as few have been tested and his faith grew as a result. If you are being tested and struggling in your faith don't be discouraged. John Calvin put it well when he said that believers... “are never so enlightened that there are no remains of ignorance, nor is the heart so established that there are no misgivings.”