Romans 4:20

Romans 4:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
• New International Version (NIV)Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
• English Standard Version (ESV)No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,
• New King James Version (NKJV)He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,

Context of Romans 4:20

18In hope against hope Abraham believed that he would become a father of many nations, as he had been promised [by God]: “So [numberless] shall your descendants be.” 19Without becoming weak in faith he considered his own body, now as good as dead [for producing children] since he was about a hundred years old, and [he considered] the deadness of Sarah’s womb. But he did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God, 21being fully convinced that God had the power to do what He had promised. 22Therefore his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God).

Romans 4:20 word by word

εἰς δὲ τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ θεοῦ οὐ διεκρίθη τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ, ἀλλ᾽ ἐνεδυναμώθη τῇ πίστει, δοὺς δόξαν τῷ θεῷRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·δέde · thenG1161
• He staggeredδιακρίνωdiakrinō · to judge/doubtG1252
• notοὐou · noG3756
• atεἰςeis · towardG1519
• the promiseὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the promiseἐπαγγελίαepaggelia · promiseG1860
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• through unbeliefἀπιστίαapistia · unbeliefG570
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• was strongἐνδυναμόωendunamoō · to strengthenG1743
• in faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102
• givingδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• gloryδόξαdoxa · gloryG1391

Cross-references for Romans 4:20

• Numbers 11:13Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep before me and say, ‘Give us meat, so that we may eat.’
• 2 Kings 7:2Then the royal officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God and said, “If the Lord should make windows in heaven [for the rain], could this thing take place?” Elisha said, “Behold, you will see it with your own eyes, but [because you doubt] you will not eat of it.”
• 2 Chronicles 20:15He said, “Listen carefully, all [you people of] Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. The Lord says this to you: ‘Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
• Isaiah 7:9And the head (capital) of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son [King Pekah]. If you will not believe [and trust in God and His message], be assured that you will not be established.” ’ ”
• Jeremiah 32:16“Now when I had delivered the purchase deed to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to the Lord, saying,
• Luke 1:18And Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in age.”
• Isaiah 35:4Say to those with an anxious and panic-stricken heart, “Be strong, fear not! Indeed, your God will come with vengeance [for the ungodly]; The retribution of God will come, But He will save you.”
• Daniel 10:19He said, “O man, highly regarded and greatly beloved, do not be afraid. Peace be to you; take courage and be strong.” Now when he had spoken to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
• Daniel 11:32With smooth words [of flattery and praise] he will turn to godlessness those who [are willing to] disregard the [Mosaic] covenant, but the people who [are spiritually mature and] know their God will display strength and take action [to resist].
• Haggai 2:4But now be courageous, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord, ‘be courageous also, Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and be courageous, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ declares the Lord of hosts.
• Zechariah 8:9“Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Let your hands be strong, you who in these days hear these words from the mouths of the prophets who, on the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, foretold that the temple might be rebuilt.
• 1 Corinthians 16:13Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong.
• 2 Corinthians 12:10So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].
• Ephesians 6:10In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.
• 2 Timothy 2:1So you, my son, be strong [constantly strengthened] and empowered in the grace that is [to be found only] in Christ Jesus.

Commentaries on Romans 4:20

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20He 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-22Verses 13-22 The promise was made to Abraham long before the law. It points at Christ, and it refers to the promise, Ge 12:3. In Thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. The law worketh wrath, by showing that every transgressor is exposed to the Divine displeasure. As God intended to give men a title to the promised blessings, so he appointed it to be by faith, that it might be wholly of grace, to make it sure to all who were of the like precious…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 18-2218-22. 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," Ge 15:5.Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 4:20

• Abraham
• Catholicity
• Faith
• Glorifying God
• Justification
• Resurrection
• Righteousness
• Salvation
• Unbelief
• Works

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Flesh
• Impute
• Justification
• Quicken
• Raise
• Reckon
• Stagger
• Unbelief

Commentaries on Romans 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings