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

18Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” 19And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.

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 supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’
• 2 Kings 7:2The officer assisting the king said to the man of God, “That couldn’t happen even if the Lord opened the windows of heaven!” But Elisha replied, “You will see it happen with your own eyes, but you won’t be able to eat any of it!”
• 2 Chronicles 20:15He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
• Isaiah 7:9Israel is no stronger than its capital, Samaria, and Samaria is no stronger than its king, Pekah son of Remaliah. Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm.”
• Jeremiah 32:16Then after I had given the papers to Baruch, I prayed to the Lord:
• Luke 1:18Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”
• Isaiah 35:4Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”
• Daniel 10:19“Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”
• Daniel 11:32He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him.
• Haggai 2:4But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
• Zechariah 8:9“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Be strong and finish the task! Ever since the laying of the foundation of the Temple of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, you have heard what the prophets have been saying about completing the building.
• 1 Corinthians 16:13Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.
• 2 Corinthians 12:10That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
• Ephesians 6:10A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
• 2 Timothy 2:1Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you 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