Abraham's Faith Strengthened in Romans 4:20
Romans 4:20 describes Abraham's unwavering faith in God's promise: "Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn’t waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God" [1]. This verse is central to Paul's argument in Romans 4, where he establishes Abraham as the paradigm of justification by faith, not by works [9].
The broader context of Romans 4 focuses on demonstrating that Abraham's righteousness was "imputed" to him through faith, predating both the Mosaic Law and circumcision [9]. Paul quotes Genesis 15:6, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness" (Romans 4:3) [9]. This sets the stage for understanding Abraham's faith as a model for all believers, whether Jew or Gentile. The apostle emphasizes that Abraham's faith was not based on his own physical capabilities or external observances, but solely on God's promise [9].
In Romans 4:19, Paul notes that Abraham "considered not his own body now dead" and Sarah's barrenness, acknowledging the natural impossibility of having a child at their advanced age [4]. Despite these overwhelming physical realities, Abraham's faith remained steadfast. Adam Clarke highlights this as a "wonderful degree of faith," given that Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah 90, and the promise involved his posterity blessing all nations [4].
Romans 4:20 then elaborates on the nature of this faith. Abraham "didn't waver through unbelief" but instead "grew strong through faith" [1]. The phrase "grew strong through faith" (ἐνεδυναμώθη τῇ πίστει) indicates an active strengthening, a resolve that deepened in reliance on God. John Gill interprets this as Abraham possessing not just strong faith, but "full assurance of faith" [8]. This assurance stemmed from his conviction that God, who made the promise, was "able to perform" it [8]. The glory Abraham gave to God, according to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, consisted in his firm persuasion of God's ability to fulfill His promise, unshakeable by difficulties [6].
Abraham's faith was directed toward "God who quickeneth the dead" and "calleth those things which be not as though they were" (Romans 4:17) [7]. Matthew Henry points out that Abraham's faith specifically fastened upon God's power to bring life out of death, which was directly relevant to the promise of a child from his and Sarah's "dead" bodies [7]. This aspect of God's power—to quicken the dead—foreshadows the resurrection of Christ, which Paul connects to justification later in the chapter (Romans 4:25) [2].
The imputation of righteousness to Abraham, as discussed in Romans 4:22, was not based on his own righteousness but on his "fiducial reliance upon the Divine goodness, power, and faithfulness" [3]. Adam Clarke, paraphrasing Dr. Taylor, explains that God "graciously pleased to place his faith to his account" for a title to the divine blessing [3]. John Gill clarifies that what was imputed was not Abraham's faith itself, but the "righteousness" that his faith apprehended [5]. This understanding is crucial for Paul's argument that justification is by faith in Christ, not by human merit.
The example of Abraham's faith in Romans 4:20–21 serves as a foundational teaching for Christian theology, particularly concerning the doctrine of justification. It illustrates that true faith involves a confident trust in God's power and faithfulness, even when circumstances seem impossible. This faith gives glory to God by acknowledging His omnipotence and truthfulness [6, 8]. The passage concludes by stating that Abraham's faith was "imputed to him for righteousness," and this principle applies "for us also, to whom it shall be imputed" (Romans 4:22, 24) [5]. This establishes Abraham as the spiritual father of all who believe, demonstrating that salvation has always been by grace through faith [9].
Sources
- Romans “Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn’t waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God, -- Romans 4:20”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Isa.53.6 → Rom.4.25 (confidence: 19 votes)”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 4:22: And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness - The verse is thus paraphrased by Dr. Taylor: "For which reason God was graciously pleased to place his faith to his account; and to allow his fiducial reliance upon the Divine goodness, power, and faithfulness, for a title to the Divine blessing, which, otherwise, having been an idolater, he had no right to." Abraham's strong faith in the promise of the coming Savior, for this was essential to his faith, was reckoned to him for justification: for it is not said that any righteousness, either his own, or that of”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 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 yet, no child by Sarah; that he was 100 years old; that Sarah was 90; and t”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 4:22: But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed,.... What was written in the books of the Old Testament, was not written merely on account of them who are the subjects thereof, but for the use, learning, instruction and profit of saints under the New Testament dispensation; and particularly this concerning the pulsation of Abraham's faith for righteousness, or of the imputation of the righteousness of faith unto him for justification; which was not Abraham's faith, but that "righteousness" which his faith looked to, and laid hold on: see Rom 4:12; for Abraham's faith its”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 4:21: And being fully persuaded, &c.--that is, the glory which Abraham's faith gave to God consisted in this, that, firm in the persuasion of God's ability to fulfil his promise, no difficulties shook him.”
- Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 4:17: 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 t - o that, certainly, which would be most likely to confirm his faith concerning the things promised: - 1. God who quickeneth the dead. It was promised that he should be the father of many nati”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 4:20: 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.”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 4:3: 4:3 Paul quotes Gen 15:6. In response to God’s promise that he would have descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, Abraham believed God. It was faith that established Abraham’s relationship with God—not works (Rom 4:3-8), circumcision (4:9-12), the law (4:13-17), or the number of his descendants (4:18-21).”