Devine Scripture

Romans 4:19

What does Romans 4:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 4:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 4:19 means

Abraham did not pretend the obstacles were small. He considered his own body as good as dead, being about a hundred years old, and Sarah’s womb as dead. Yet this realism did not weaken his faith. True faith faces facts without surrendering to them, because it weighs God’s promise more heavily than visible impediments. Abraham’s assessment magnifies the miracle when God acts. It also shows that faith is not fueled by denial but by a clear view of need matched with a clearer view of divine ability. The greater the human impossibility, the greater the stage for God’s faithfulness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And not being feeble in faith though his body seemed to him little better than dead (he being about a hundred years old) and Sarah was no longer able to have children:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and not having been weak in the faith, he did not consider his own body, already become dead, (being about a hundred years old,) and the deadness of Sarah's womb,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he was not weak in faith. Neither did he consider his own body, now dead (whereas he was almost an hundred years old), nor the dead womb of Sara.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and not being weak in faith, he considered not his own body already become dead, being about a hundred years old, and the deadening of Sarah's womb,

Context

Following the statement that Abraham hoped against hope, this verse specifies the human impossibilities he faced—his age and Sarah’s barrenness. It sets up verses 20–21, which will describe his unwavering stance and growing strength in faith, culminating in full assurance that God could perform His promise. The flow underscores that faith thrives not by ignoring reality but by honoring God above it.

v.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.

v.19This passage

v.20yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 14:31

    And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and saith unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

  • Mark 9:23

    And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth.

  • Genesis 17:17

    Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

  • Hebrews 11:11

    By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised:

  • John 20:27

    Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

  • Romans 4:20

    yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God,

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