“and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:21).

Paul the Apostle highlighted Abraham’s unwavering faith in God by stating that, “…He was fully convinced that God was able to do what he promised” (CEB). Paul also turned to Abraham’s example to illustrate the nature of genuine faith in his Biblical letter to the churches of Galatia…

“The Scriptures say that God accepted Abraham because Abraham had faith. And so, you should understand that everyone who has faith is a child of Abraham. Long ago the Scriptures said God would accept the Gentiles because of their faith. This is why God told Abraham the good news that all nations would be blessed because of him. This means everyone who has faith will share in the blessings given to Abraham because of his faith” (Galatians 3:6-9 CEV).

One commentary provides us with a helpful perspective on these passages…

“Abraham did not know how God would fulfill His word, but that was incidental. He knew God and had every confidence that God was fully able to do what He had promised. In one way it was wonderful faith, but in another way it was the most reasonable thing to do, because God’s word is the surest thing in the universe, and for Abraham there was no risk in believing it!” ₍₁₎

This leads us to a timeless piece of wisdom that reminds us of the value of a promise: a promise is only as good as the person who makes it. The truth of that adage is undeniable, for we will inevitably encounter others who fail to deliver on their promises. However, we can rely on God’s promises, even when our external circumstances seem to suggest otherwise. To understand why, let’s consider the following attributes of God…

• God is immortal (1 Timothy 6:16).
• God is all-powerful (Genesis 1:1, Matthew 19:26).
• God is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7–12).
• God is omniscient (Psalm 139:1–4, Hebrews 4:13).
• God is immutable (or unchanging) (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17).
• God is just (Psalm 89:14)
• God is a God of truth (Deuteronomy 32:4, John 14:6).
• God is righteous (Psalm 11:7, Psalm 145:17).

While there may be some who lack the desire or ability to fulfill their promises, God is fully capable of fulfilling any promise He chooses to make. The following source addresses that reality with a comment worth considering: “Certain nouns and verbs are used in the New Testament according to Hebrew idiom. ‘Able,’ when applied to God or Christ, denotes both willingness and ability.” ₍₂₎

(1) William Macdonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary Edited by Arthur Farstad. Thomas Nelson Publishers [Romans 4:21]

(2) Smith, J. H. (2016). Romans 4:21. In The Ultimate Cross-Reference Treasury. Retrieved March 3, 2026.

“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God” (Romans 4:20).

So, despite the obvious challenges involved in accepting God’s promise from a human perspective, “[Abraham] believed the LORD, and the LORD considered his response of faith as proof of genuine loyalty” (Genesis 15:6 NET). In this, Abraham served as a model of true, God-honoring faith. However, he also served as a testament to God’s faithfulness as well.

The following portion of the Biblical book of James reinforces these ideas…

“But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all. But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind. If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:5-8 GNT).

Abraham never “wavered through unbelief” in the sense that he never abandoned his faith in the God who had given His word. Abraham thus stood in contrast to some of Jesus’ own first-century followers. When confronted with one of Jesus’ more difficult teachings, we’re told, “Many of his disciples said, ‘This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?'” (John 6:60 NLT). Jesus then replied with further clarification, and that’s when many of His listeners responded by making a pivotal decision…

“At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, ‘Are you also going to leave?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life'” (John 6:68-69 NLT).

We should note one area of commonality in these accounts: Abraham and Jesus’ twelve disciples focused on the Person behind the message rather than the challenging nature of what they had been asked to believe. In Abraham’s case, it was the natural impossibility of bearing a child. In the case of the twelve disciples, it was a difficult teaching that caused others to desert Jesus. Each placed their faith in a Person despite their limited ability to rationalize what they were asked to accept.

Nevertheless, those who abandoned Jesus also exhibited a type of faith. Their response reflected the true object of their faith, for they placed greater faith in their ability to grasp Jesus’ teachings than in Jesus Himself. That misguided trust led them to desert the One who had “…the words that give eternal life.”

“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead–since he was about a hundred years old–and that Sarah’s womb was also dead” (Romans 4:19 NIV).

In commenting on this portion of Scripture, one author says, “The essence of Abraham’s faith in this case was that he believed that God could make the impossible possible.” ₍₁₎ Yet, despite Abraham and Sarah’s inability to conceive a child, we should note that they were both living people. In contrast, Jesus did something more miraculous: He restored the lives of the dead on several occasions. The Gospel of Mark records one such example…

“And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.’

…Then [Jesus] came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. When He came in, He said to them, ‘Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.’ And they ridiculed Him.

But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, ‘Talitha, cumi,’ which is translated, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement” (Mark 5:22-23, 38-42).

We find a similar example in Luke’s Gospel…

“Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’

Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen up among us’; and, ‘God has visited His people'” (Luke 7:11-16).

Finally, Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus is arguably the most prominent example of His power over death (John 11:1-44). Thus, when we face circumstances that are seemingly impossible (like Abraham and Sarah), we should remember that Jesus can even impart life to the dead.

(1) Barclay, William. “Commentary on Romans 4”. “William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb/romans-4.html. 1956-1959.

“Abraham 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” (Romans 4:19 GW).

The translation quoted above reveals an important nuance in Abraham’s response that we would do well to consider: Abraham faced the facts concerning his physical limitations and those of his wife. In other words, Abraham accepted the reality of his situation and placed his trust in God and His ability to overcome those limitations.

The ability to confront the realities of life with an attitude of honesty is a virtue worth seeking in prayer. This is especially true in an era dominated by “deepfake” imagery, staged video presentations, and artificially generated content. In fact, we might argue that truth is one of our most valuable assets with respect to ourselves, our interactions with others, and the world around us. This passage thus offers a pattern to follow: Abraham faced the truth of his situation with honesty in choosing to believe God for His promises.

One author’s perspective helps us gain a greater appreciation for this aspect of Abraham’s faith…

“…Abraham looked at the facts. He faced them head-on. He considered his dead body and the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. He sat and thought about it, and he saw how hopeless the situation was. There was no chance at all! His body was a hundred years old and Sarah’s womb was ninety years old and had never borne children. She was far past the age of childbearing. It was hopeless.

There was no hope, yet Abraham believed in hope. How? Because when he looked at his dead body he remembered that he had a God who raises the dead. And when he thought about Sarah’s barren womb, he remembered that he had a God who calls into existence the things that do not exist. That would take care of everything, wouldn’t it? And so, against all hope, he believed in hope, because of the God in whom his faith was fixed.” ₍₁₎

So, in speaking of the physical challenges that seemingly made it impossible for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, an author from an earlier generation offers the following insight…

“…the R.V. says that he looked them all quietly in the face, as though taking into account all their significance and force. Then he looked to the promise; and after balancing one against the other, he decided absolutely and confidently that the Word of God must stand, however great and forbidding the difficulties in the way. He was fully persuaded that what God had promised he was able to perform. ₍₂₎

(1) Excerpted with permission from The Faith of our Father © 1976 by Ray Stedman Ministries. All rights reserved. Visit www.RayStedman.org for the complete library of Ray Stedman material. Please direct any questions to webmaster@RayStedman.org. https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/romans/the-faith-of-our-father

(2) Romans 4 – F.B. Meyer’s “Through the Bible” commentary – StudyLight.org. (n.d.). https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/fbm/romans-4.html

“And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb” (Romans 4:19).

From a human perspective, Abraham’s situation was seemingly beyond hope. But Abraham did not place his trust in human capability or potential. Instead, Abraham invested his faith in God’s ability to fulfill His agenda.

In a sense, Abraham had to weigh two pieces of testimony. One piece of testimony involved his advanced physical age and that of his wife. That placed them well beyond their normal childbearing years. The other piece of testimony was offered by the all-powerful God who vowed to provide him with a biological son to serve as his heir. When viewed from this perspective, Abraham wisely chose to place his faith in the God who could bring His promises to fruition.

Of course, Abraham is not the only Biblical personality who exhibited this type of faith. For instance, many are familiar with the Biblical account of Jesus’ birth, but how many stop to consider the faith exhibited by Jesus’ mother, Mary, and His adoptive father, Joseph? For instance, God dispatched an angelic representative to visit Mary with the following message…

“…’Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.’ …Mary asked the angel, ‘How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?’ The angel replied to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God'” (Luke 1:30-31, 34-35 CSB).

Mary’s response to that announcement tells us that she possessed the same type of faith her ancestor Abraham exhibited…

“‘See, I am the Lord’s servant,’ said Mary. ‘May it happen to me as you have said’…” (Luke 1:38 CSB).

Later, we learn of Joseph’s reaction to the news of Mary’s pregnancy…

“Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.’

…Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus” (Matthew 1:19-20, 24-25).

These faithful role models thus provide us with the right example to follow in our relationship with God.

“who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be'” (Romans 4:18).

Abraham exhibited the type of faith that actively relied on God’s ability to fulfill His promises. That faith subsequently influenced the direction of his life. While there were some imperfections in Abraham’s faith, he genuinely believed God and His ability to enact His will.

Nevertheless, Romans 4:18 contains a curious reference: “Against hope Abraham believed in hope…” (NET). This statement may seem difficult to reconcile, but several Biblical translations have worked to express the idea behind this statement with greater clarity…

• “Abraham believed and hoped, even when there was no reason for hoping…” (GNT).
• “…when it all seemed hopeless, Abraham still had faith in God” (CEV).
• “Even 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!'” (NLT).

The following source explores this idea in a manner that is worthy of a lengthy excerpt…

“Two other aspects of faith emerge in Paul’s description of Abraham’s own faith in verses 18– 21. They are beautifully summarized in the seemingly paradoxical verse 18a: ‘contrary to hope, in hope [Abraham] believed.…’ How could Abraham’s faith be both ‘contrary to hope’ and ‘in hope’? In these verses, Paul refers to the way Abraham responded to God’s promise that he would father a child who would be the heir to the promises. When God made that promise, Abraham was a hundred years old and Sarah was 90—and barren (Gen. 17:15–17; Rom. 4:19). Truly, God’s promise seemed to fly in the face of all the ‘evidence.’ Yet Abraham did not let the apparent facts of the matter stand in the way of his faith. He believed ‘contrary to hope’—he believed despite the fact that, from a human point of view, there was no hope that he could ever father a child.

Stressing this ‘contrary to hope’ nature of faith, some theologians have compared faith to a ‘leap in the dark.’ But this is an unbalanced assessment, for Abraham also believed ‘in hope.’ He did not dream up the idea that he would have a child; his conviction was no wish fulfillment. God had promised. It was because Abraham was ‘fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform’ (Rom. 4:21) that he believed. When assessing God’s promise to him, Abraham looked not at the physical evidence—he looked at the God who had promised.” ₍₁₎

(1) Douglas J. Moo. (2002). Aspects of Faith. Tabletalk Magazine. Retrieved March 6, 2026, from https://tabletalkmagazine.com/daily-study/2002/03/aspects-of-faith/

“as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’–in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. (Romans 4:17 ESV).

We would do well to take a closer look at Romans 4:17 and its reference to God who “…calls into existence the things that do not exist.“ This can help us identify misinterpretations that may arise when we isolate this portion of Scripture from its original context. We can begin by defining the word “context” as “the part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning.” ₍₁₎ To put it another way, the surrounding chapters and verses of a Biblical text help establish its meaning. When individual verses are quoted outside their context, it is sometimes possible to make the Bible say some very unbiblical things.

In the context of Romans 4:17, God’s ability to summon forth things that do not yet exist relates to…

• Abraham.
• His wife Sarah.
• Their advanced physical ages and their inability to have children.
• God’s promise to make Abraham the father of many nations, a promise that seemed impossible from a human perspective.

In a larger sense, scholars often employ the Latin phrase “creation ex nihilo” to express God’s capacity to call something into being out of nothing. This doctrine states that God’s divine act of creation brought the elements of time, space, matter, and life into being from a prior state of non-existence. Romans 4:17 supports this concept in speaking of “…God who gives life to the dead and calls things that don’t exist into existence” (CEB).

The issue is that it is possible to isolate this portion of Scripture and quote it in a manner that makes it appear to support something else. For example, there are some who believe that we can simply speak (or confess) God’s Word over some aspect of our lives and bring something into being. Others point to God’s creative work in Genesis chapter one as a template for those who wish to speak something desirable into existence.

These concepts reflect serious errors. For example, Genesis chapter one does not function as a model we can follow to “speak things into existence.” In addition, the context of Romans 4:17 precludes us from using this portion of Scripture as a license to call something into existence that previously did not exist. As the wise old rule of Biblical interpretation tells us, “If a Biblical passage makes good sense, we should accept it as it is, lest we end with nonsense.”

Image Attribution: ba1969 (Billy Frank Alexander)

(1) context. (n.d.) American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2011). Retrieved March 06, 2026 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/context

“(as it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations’) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;” (Romans 4:17).

This passage from Romans 4:17 provides an opportunity to make a brief observation concerning the nature of Biblical inspiration. Consider the insights offered by the following author…

“The Holy Spirit moved men to write. He allowed them to use their own styles, cultures, gifts, and character. He allowed them to use the results of their own study and research, write of their own experiences, and express what was in their minds… they recorded accurately all God wanted them to say and exactly how He wanted them to say it in their own character, styles, and languages.” ₍₁₎

Although it may not seem obvious from the text, this passage showcases the manner in which the Biblical authors conveyed their distinct personalities and individual writing styles. For instance, Paul the Apostle often wove parenthetical statements into his Biblical epistles. This refers to a word, phrase, or qualification that adds supplementary information to a message. As the name suggests, a parenthetical statement is typically bracketed in parentheses whenever it occurs within a written work.

We encountered a previous example of this approach in Romans 3:5, as Paul took a break from his central theme to offer a brief clarifying remark. Similar examples appear in 1 Corinthians 1:14–16, Galatians 2:8, and Ephesians 3:1–2 as well. Paul’s distinct communication style is evident in these passages, adding character, personality, and clarity to his divinely inspired works.

There are two parenthetical statements that appear here in Romans 4:17. The first (“I have made you a father of many nations“), builds on a concept Paul introduced in the previous verse: Abraham is the father of all who respond to God in faith, regardless of their national origin. The second (“God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did“) refers to God’s sovereign ability to bring into being whatever He decrees. This also encompasses things that may seem impossible from a human perspective.

In the context of our text from Romans 4:17, this relates to Abraham’s physical ability to conceive a child with his wife Sarah despite their advanced ages. Thus, “If God could call the dead womb of Sarah to life, he can call those who are dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) to new life in Christ.” ₍₂₎

(1) Brian H. Edwards. Why Should We Believe in the Inerrancy of Scripture? Answers in Genesis. July 5, 2011. Retrieved 06 March, 2026 https://answersingenesis.org/is-the-bible-true/why-should-we-believe-in-the-inerrancy-of-scripture/
(2) Guzik, D. (2025, April 3). Enduring Word Bible Commentary Romans Chapter 4. Enduring Word. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/romans-4/

“Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all” (Romans 4:16).

Romans 4:16 stands out as a deeply personal verse that engages its readers on an individual level. For instance, consider the implications of this passage with respect to our relationship with God…

“Do you believe that God can be depended on to honor His promises? Abraham did (Rom. 4:20–21). All of us rely on the promises of others in our daily lives and work. Vendors promise to deliver products in specified quantities and qualities. Project groups promise to deliver results by certain dates. Companies promise to stand behind their products with ‘satisfaction guaranteed.’ If we can believe the promises of fallible human beings, how much more can we trust the promises of God, who never fails?” ₍₁₎

So, having established that we cannot earn God’s approval by adhering to a system of rules and regulations, Paul the Apostle turned his attention to the alternative: salvation by God’s grace through faith. That salvation is available to those who received the Old Testament Law and those who have not; everyone can secure right standing with God though faith, just as Abraham did.

This concept runs like a shimmering thread throughout our text from Romans chapter four…

• “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (verse four).
• “to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness” (verse five).
• Israel’s king David recognized this same truth in celebrating “…the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works” (verses six to eight).
• Finally, we’re told, “…faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness” before he received the ritual of circumcision so “…that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also” (verses nine through sixteen).

Here in Romans 4:16, Paul underscored that reality by identifying Abraham as “…the [spiritual] father of us all” (AMP). Regardless of their heritage, anyone can approach God through faith in Christ with the assurance that He will credit them with righteousness. In this manner, we can look to Abraham as a model of someone whom God accepts through faith. Those who follow that good example can trace their spiritual lineage to him as well.

(1) Word in Life Study Bible, electronic ed. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1996), Ro 4:16–25.

“For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression” (Romans 4:15 ESV).

The following commentator considers these twin references to the law from Romans 4:15 and broadens their scope beyond the members of Paul the Apostle’s first-century Jewish audience…

“The first use of this term has the Greek ARTICLE while the second does not. Although it is dangerous to draw too much attention to the presence or absence of the Greek ARTICLE, it seems in this case to help show that Paul was using this term in two senses.
1. the Mosaic Law with its Oral Tradition in which some Jews were trusting for their salvation
2. the concept of law in general
This wider sense would include the self-righteous Gentiles who conformed to this or that cultural code of ethics or religious rituals and felt accepted by deity based on their performance.” ₍₁₎

This brings us to the word “transgression” that appears within this passage. Though seldom used today, this word denotes an important Biblical concept. A “transgression” refers to a deliberate or willful act of misconduct. In other words, a transgression occurs whenever someone deliberately and purposely acts in violation of a known ordinance or law. Another commentary offers a definition of this word that expands on these meanings…

“Transgressions (Gr parabasis) mean a step beyond a fixed limit into forbidden territory. It is a willful act of violating an explicit law, overstepping what is right into the realm of what is wrong. The law was added much later to make men conscious of the existence and the extent of sin (Rom 3:19; 5:20). The law was added to reveal sin, not remove it. To show men the need of righteousness, not to be a means of securing righteousness.” ₍₂₎

The final portion of this verse serves to clarify this idea: “…where there is no law there is no transgression either” (NET). For instance, an action or behavior may still be wrong even if there is no law that prohibits it. However, that action or behavior becomes a transgression when we knowingly defy a law that forbids it. Thus, as Paul will go on to say in the following chapter…

“Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did…” (Romans 5:13-14 NLT).

(1) Dr. Bob Utley. Free Bible Commentary, Copyright © 2014 Bible Lessons International. Romans 1. (n.d.). https://www.freebiblecommentary.org/new_testament_studies/VOL05/VOL05_04.html

(2) Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 2387). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.