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

18When there was nothing left to hope for, Abraham still hoped and believed. As a result, he became a father of many nations, as he had been told: “That is how many descendants you will have.” 19Abraham didn’t weaken. Through faith he regarded the facts: His body was already as good as dead now that he was about a hundred years old, and Sarah was unable to have children. He didn’t doubt God’s promise out of a lack of faith. Instead, giving honor to God ⌞for the promise⌟, he became strong because of faith 21and was absolutely confident that God would do what he promised. 22That is why Abraham’s faith was regarded as the basis of his approval by 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 can I get meat for all these people? They keep crying for me to give them meat to eat.
• 2 Kings 7:2The servant on whose arm the king was leaning answered the man of God, “Could this happen even if the Lord poured rain through windows in the sky?” Elisha replied, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you won’t eat any of it.”
• 2 Chronicles 20:15Jahaziel said, “Pay attention to me, everyone from Judah, everyone living in Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the Lord says to you: Don’t be frightened or terrified by this large crowd. The battle isn’t yours. It’s God’s.
• Isaiah 7:9The capital of Ephraim is Samaria, and the leader of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If you don’t remain faithful, you won’t remain standing.”
• Jeremiah 32:16“After I had given the copies to Baruch, son of Neriah, I prayed to the Lord. I prayed,
• Luke 1:18Zechariah said to the angel, “What proof is there for this? I’m an old man, and my wife is beyond her childbearing years.”
• Isaiah 35:4Tell those who are terrified, “Be brave; don’t be afraid. Your God will come with vengeance, with divine revenge. He will come and rescue you.”
• Daniel 10:19He said, “Don’t be afraid. You are highly respected. Everything is alright! Be strong! Be strong!” As he talked to me, I became stronger. I said, “Sir, tell me what you came to say. You have strengthened me.”
• Daniel 11:32With flattery he will corrupt those who abandon the promise. But the people who know their God will be strong and take action.
• Haggai 2:4“But now, Zerubbabel, be strong,” declares the Lord. “Chief Priest Joshua (son of Jehozadak), be strong. Everyone in the land, be strong,” declares the Lord. “Work, because I am with you,” declares the Lord of Armies.
• Zechariah 8:9This is what the Lord of Armies says: Be strong so that the temple might be rebuilt, you people who are presently listening to the words from the mouths of the prophets who spoke when the foundation for the house of the Lord of Armies was laid.
• 1 Corinthians 16:13Be alert. Be firm in the Christian faith. Be courageous and strong.
• 2 Corinthians 12:10Therefore, I accept weakness, mistreatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties suffered for Christ. It’s clear that when I’m weak, I’m strong.
• Ephesians 6:10Finally, receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength.
• 2 Timothy 2:1My child, find your source of strength in the kindness of 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