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Romans 4:20

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 4:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God,
Romans 4:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17(as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were.
18Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah`s womb;
20yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God,
21and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22Wherefore also it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.
23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him;
← Romans 4:19Romans 4:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He staggered not at the promise of God, etc..] There is no reason to stagger at, or hesitate about any of the promises of God, since they are made by him that cannot lie; his faithfulness is engaged to perform them; with him all things are possible; every promise is in Christ, yea and amen, and never did any fail; and yet so it is, that some of God's children, through unbelief, do stagger at the promises of God; thinking either that they are too great for them, or demur upon them through difficulties which attend them: but so did not Abraham, he was strong in faith; nothing moved him, no difficulties discouraged him, he made no demur upon the promise, nor had the least hesitation in his mind…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He staggered--hesitated not . . . but was strong in faith, giving glory to God--as able to make good His own word in spite of all obstacles.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He 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 so many witnesses in his favor; and furnish to their fellow-men evidence that God has a claim on the credence and trust of mankind. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“staggered: Num 11:13-23; Kg2 7:2, Kg2 7:19; Ch2 20:15-20; Isa 7:9; Jer 32:16-27; Luk 1:18, Luk 1:45 but was: Isa 35:4; Dan 10:19, Dan 11:32; Hag 2:4; Zac 8:9, Zac 8:13; Co1 16:13; Co2 12:10; Eph 6:10; Ti2 2:1 Romans 4:21”
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Related study paths

Read Romans 4 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification