Devine Scripture

Romans 4:20

What does Romans 4:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 4:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 4:20 means

Despite daunting circumstances, Abraham did not waver through unbelief. Instead, he grew strong in faith, giving glory to God. Faith honors God by treating Him as trustworthy, weighty, and able. As Abraham pondered the promise, his confidence in God increased rather than diminished. The strengthening of faith suggests a process—renewed focus on God’s character and word lifted him above sight. Giving glory to God means his trust became worship; he credited God with the power and faithfulness due to Him. Such faith is the opposite of self-reliance; it is God-reliance that magnifies His name.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Still, he did not give up faith in the undertaking of God, but was made strong by faith, giving glory to God,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and at the promise of God did not stagger in unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, having given glory to God,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

In the promise also of God he staggered not by distrust: but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and hesitated not at the promise ofGod through unbelief; but found strength in faith, giving glory toGod;

Context

This verse follows Abraham’s realistic appraisal of his and Sarah’s condition and explains his response: he did not allow unbelief to erode his confidence. Verse 21 will state positively what fueled this stability—being fully convinced of God’s ability to fulfill His promise. Then verse 22 will connect this kind of faith to the reckoning of righteousness, linking Abraham’s trust to justification.

v.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;

v.20This passage

v.21and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Cross references

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

  • Zechariah 8:9

    Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets that were in the day that the foundation of the house of Jehovah of hosts was laid, even the temple, that it might be built.

  • Matthew 9:8

    But when the multitudes saw it, they were afraid, and glorified God, who had given such authority unto men.

  • 2 Timothy 2:1

    Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

  • Luke 1:45

    And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfilment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord.

  • Jeremiah 32:16

    Now after I had delivered the deed of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto Jehovah, saying,

  • 2 Kings 7:19

    and that captain answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if Jehovah should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? and he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof:

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