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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 4:18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/4-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/45_Rom_04_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 4:18 - Abraham Receives the Promise" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, So shall your offspring be." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/romans/4-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/romans/4-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/romans/">Romans</a> > <a href="/romans/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/romans/4-17.htm" title="Romans 4:17">◄</a> Romans 4:18 <a href="/romans/4-19.htm" title="Romans 4:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/romans/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/romans/4.htm">New International Version</a> Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, &#8220So shall your offspring be.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/romans/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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!” <a href="/esv/romans/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” <a href="/bsb/romans/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” <a href="/blb/romans/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> who against hope, in hope believed, for him to become the father of many nations, according to that having been spoken, "So shall your offspring be." <a href="/kjv/romans/4.htm">King James Bible</a> Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. <a href="/nkjv/romans/4.htm">New King James Version</a> 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.” <a href="/nasb_/romans/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” <a href="/nasb/romans/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, &#8220SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/romans/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> In hope against hope he believed, in order that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” <a href="/lsb/romans/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR SEED BE.” <a href="/amp/romans/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> In hope against hope Abraham believed that he would become a father of many nations, as he had been promised [by God]: “SO [numberless] SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” <a href="/csb/romans/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be. <a href="/hcsb/romans/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be. <a href="/asv/romans/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> Who 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. <a href="/cev/romans/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> God promised Abraham a lot of descendants. And when it all seemed hopeless, Abraham still had faith in God and became the ancestor of many nations. <a href="/erv/romans/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> Who 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. <a href="/gwt/romans/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When there was nothing left to hope for, Abraham still hoped and believed. As a result, he became a father of many nations, as he had been told: "That is how many descendants you will have." <a href="/gnt/romans/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> Abraham believed and hoped, even when there was no reason for hoping, and so became "the father of many nations." Just as the scripture says, "Your descendants will be as many as the stars." <a href="/isv/romans/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Hoping in spite of hopeless circumstances, he believed that he would become "the father of many nations," just as he had been told: "This is how many descendants you will have." <a href="/msb/romans/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, ?So shall your offspring be.? <a href="/net/romans/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Against hope Abraham believed in hope with the result that he became the father of many nations according to the pronouncement, "so will your descendants be." <a href="/nheb/romans/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Who hoped in spite of hopeless circumstances, with the result that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, "so will your descendants be." <a href="/wbt/romans/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Who against hope believed with hope, that he should become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. <a href="/wey/romans/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Under utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so that he might become the forefather of many nations, in agreement with the words "Equally numerous shall your posterity be." <a href="/web/romans/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Against hope, Abraham in hope believed, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, “So will your offspring be.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Who, against hope, believed in hope, for his becoming father of many nations according to that spoken: “So will your seed be”; <a href="/blb/romans/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> who against hope, in hope believed, for him to become the father of many nations, according to that having been spoken, "So shall your offspring be." <a href="/ylt/romans/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Who, against hope in hope did believe, for his becoming father of many nations according to that spoken: 'So shall thy seed be;' <a href="/slt/romans/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Who against hope believed upon hope, for him to become father of many nations, according to that said, So shall thy seed be.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Who against hope believed in hope; that he might be made the father of many nations, according to that which was said to him: So shall thy seed be. <a href="/cpdv/romans/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he believed, with a hope beyond hope, so that he might become the father of many nations, according to what was said to him: “Thus shall your posterity shall be.” <a href="/nabre/romans/4.htm">New American Bible</a> He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “Thus shall your descendants be.” <a href="/nrsvce/romans/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall your descendants be.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For he who was hopeless trusted in hope, that he might become the father of many peoples, as it is written, So shall your seed be. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And without hope he believed in hope that he would be the father to the multitude of the nations according to what is written: “Thus shall your seed be.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> He, against hope, confidently believed that he would become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken: So shall your posterity be. <a href="/godbey/romans/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> who against hope confided in hope, that he should be the father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be: <a href="/haweis/romans/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Who contrary to hope, in hope believed, that he should be the father of many nations, according to what was said, ?So shall thy seed be.?<RX 1.15.5> <a href="/mace/romans/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> he it was who against hope believed in hope, that he should become the father of many nations, according to what was told him, "so shall thy posterity be:" <a href="/wey/romans/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Under utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so that he might become the forefather of many nations, in agreement with the words "Equally numerous shall your posterity be." <a href="/worrell/romans/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> who, past hope, believed against hope, to the end that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, "So shall your seed be." <a href="/worsley/romans/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> who against hope believed, with hope, that he should be the father of many nations, according to that which was said unto him, "So shall thy seed be." <a href="/parallel/romans/4-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=1012" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/romans/4.htm">Abraham Receives the Promise</a> …17As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist. 18<a href="/greek/3844.htm" title="3844: par’ (Prep) -- Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. ">Against</a> <a href="/greek/1680.htm" title="1680: elpida (N-AFS) -- Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence.">all hope,</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hos (RelPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">Abraham</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: ep’ (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">in</a> <a href="/greek/1680.htm" title="1680: elpidi (N-DFS) -- Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence.">hope</a> <a href="/greek/4100.htm" title="4100: episteusen (V-AIA-3S) -- From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.">believed</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">and so</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: genesthai (V-ANM) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">became</a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: patera (N-AMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">the father</a> <a href="/greek/4183.htm" title="4183: pollōn (Adj-GNP) -- Much, many; often. ">of many</a> <a href="/greek/1484.htm" title="1484: ethnōn (N-GNP) -- Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.">nations,</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">just as</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2046.htm" title="2046: eirēmenon (V-RPM/P-ANS) -- Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.">he had been told,</a> <a href="/greek/3779.htm" title="3779: Houtōs (Adv) -- Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).">“So</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">shall your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4690.htm" title="4690: sperma (N-NNS) -- From speiro; something sown, i.e. Seed; by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant.">offspring</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estai (V-FIM-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">be.”</a> 19Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a> And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” <a href="/hebrews/11-11.htm">Hebrews 11:11-12</a> By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised. / And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. <a href="/genesis/17-5.htm">Genesis 17:5</a> No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17</a> I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. <a href="/galatians/3-6.htm">Galatians 3:6-9</a> So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” / Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. / The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” ... <a href="/hebrews/6-13.htm">Hebrews 6:13-15</a> When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself, / saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.” / And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise. <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Genesis 21:12</a> But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned. <a href="/james/2-21.htm">James 2:21-23</a> Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? / You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did. / And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. <a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2-3</a> I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” <a href="/galatians/4-28.htm">Galatians 4:28</a> Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. <a href="/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14</a> Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.” <a href="/hebrews/11-17.htm">Hebrews 11:17-19</a> By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, / even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death. <a href="/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16</a> I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted. <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Galatians 3:29</a> And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. <a href="/genesis/26-4.htm">Genesis 26:4</a> I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall your seed be.against.<a href="/romans/4-19.htm">Romans 4:19</a> 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:<a href="/romans/5-5.htm">Romans 5:5</a> And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.<a href="/romans/8-24.htm">Romans 8:24</a> For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?So shall.<a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5,6</a> And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/4-17.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/acts/28-24.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/romans/4-17.htm">Believed</a> <a href="/romans/4-10.htm">Circumstances</a> <a href="/romans/4-17.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/romans/4-16.htm">End</a> <a href="/matthew/23-26.htm">Equally</a> <a href="/romans/4-17.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/romans/4-17.htm">Forefather</a> <a href="/acts/28-20.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-23.htm">Hopefully</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-12.htm">Hopeless</a> <a href="/romans/2-3.htm">Hoping</a> <a href="/romans/4-17.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/acts/7-17.htm">Numerous</a> <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Posterity</a> <a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/romans/3-14.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/romans/7-16.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/romans/4-24.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/romans/10-10.htm">Believed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-15.htm">Circumstances</a> <a href="/romans/9-6.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/romans/6-16.htm">End</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-24.htm">Equally</a> <a href="/romans/4-19.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/romans/9-10.htm">Forefather</a> <a href="/romans/5-2.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-23.htm">Hopefully</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-10.htm">Hopeless</a> <a href="/romans/8-24.htm">Hoping</a> <a href="/romans/9-24.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/galatians/4-27.htm">Numerous</a> <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Posterity</a> <a href="/romans/4-22.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-28.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/romans/4-23.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 4</div>1. <a href="/romans/4-1.htm">Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness;</a> 10. <a href="/romans/4-10.htm">before he was circumcised.</a> 13. <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">By faith only he and his seed received the promise.</a> 16. <a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Abraham is the father of all who believe.</a> 24. <a href="/romans/4-24.htm">Our faith also shall be credited to us as righteousness.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/romans/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Against all hope This phrase highlights the seemingly impossible situation Abraham faced. Despite his old age and Sarah's barrenness, Abraham's faith transcended human logic. This reflects the biblical theme of God working beyond human limitations, as seen in other instances like the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and the virgin birth of Jesus (<a href="/matthew/1-18.htm">Matthew 1:18-25</a>).Abraham in hope believed Abraham's faith is a central theme in the Bible, often cited as a model for believers. His belief was not based on visible evidence but on trust in God's promise. This mirrors <a href="/hebrews/11.htm">Hebrews 11:1</a>, which defines faith as confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Abraham's faith is also a precursor to the New Testament teaching of justification by faith (<a href="/romans/4-3.htm">Romans 4:3</a>).and so became the father of many nations This phrase fulfills God's promise to Abraham in <a href="/genesis/17-4.htm">Genesis 17:4-5</a>, where God declares that Abraham will be the father of many nations. This promise is not only biological, through Isaac and Ishmael, but also spiritual, as believers in Christ are considered Abraham's descendants (<a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Galatians 3:29</a>). The phrase underscores the global scope of God's covenant with Abraham.just as he had been told This refers to God's specific promise to Abraham in <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a>, where God tells him to look at the stars and promises that his offspring will be as numerous. This assurance from God is a testament to His faithfulness and the reliability of His word, a theme echoed throughout Scripture (<a href="/isaiah/55-11.htm">Isaiah 55:11</a>).“So shall your offspring be.” This quote from <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a> emphasizes the certainty of God's promise. It also points to the future fulfillment in Christ, through whom all nations are blessed (<a href="/galatians/3-8.htm">Galatians 3:8</a>). The phrase serves as a reminder of the continuity of God's plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament, culminating in the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a> The central figure in this verse, Abraham is a patriarch in the Bible, known for his faith and obedience to God. He is considered the father of many nations and a key figure in the covenant between God and His people. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god's_promise.htm">God's Promise</a> The promise made by God to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, despite his old age and the barrenness of his wife, Sarah. 3. <a href="/topical/h/hope_and_belief.htm">Hope and Belief</a> The verse highlights the contrast between human hope and divine promise, emphasizing Abraham's faith in God's word against all odds.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/faith_beyond_circumstances.htm">Faith Beyond Circumstances</a> Abraham's faith was not based on visible circumstances but on the promise of God. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's promises even when situations seem impossible. <a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_hope.htm">The Nature of Hope</a> Biblical hope is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation based on God's faithfulness. Christians are called to maintain hope in God's promises. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_god's_word.htm">The Power of God's Word</a> Just as God's word to Abraham was fulfilled, believers can trust that God's word will come to pass in their lives. <a href="/topical/l/legacy_of_faith.htm">Legacy of Faith</a> Abraham's faith had generational impact, reminding believers that their faith can influence future generations. <a href="/topical/r/righteousness_through_faith.htm">Righteousness Through Faith</a> Abraham's belief was credited as righteousness, illustrating the principle that faith, not works, is the basis of righteousness before God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 4</a> <a href="/q/how_does_ezekiel_7_align_with_restoration.htm">If Ezekiel 7 portrays imminent destruction, how do we align that with later passages in the Bible that describe restoration and continued divine protection?</a> <a href="/q/did_the_moabite_king_sacrifice_his_son.htm">What does it mean to be full of hope?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_abraham_plan_to_sacrifice_isaac.htm">Why did Abraham prepare to sacrifice his son Isaac?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_it_mean_to_be_full_of_hope.htm">What does it mean to be full of hope?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18-22) Extended description of the faith of Abraham.(18) Who.--It must be noticed that the relative here refers to Abraham, whereas in the previous verse it referred to God.Believed in hope.--The force of the preposition gives rather to the sentence the meaning of "grounded his faith upon hope"--that internal subjective hope that was strong within him, though there were no objective grounds for hoping.That he might become.--So as by exercise of faith to carry out God's purpose.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 18-21. - Who against hope in hope believed (παρ ἐλπίδα ἐπ ἐλπίδι - an oxymoron. For a similar use of ἐπ ἐλπίδι, see <a href="/1_corinthians/9-10.htm">1 Corinthians 9:10</a>; also below, <a href="/romans/5-2.htm">Romans 5:2</a>. Its position in the Authorized Version might suggest its dependence on "believed," which is grammatically possible (cf. <a href="/romans/9-33.htm">Romans 9:33</a>; <a href="/romans/10-11.htm">Romans 10:11</a>), but unallowable here, since hope cannot well be regarded as the object of belief) to the end he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be (<a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a>, viz. "as the stars"). And being not weak in faith, he considered not (i.e. paid no regard to as a hindrance to faith. The codices relied on by our recent Revisers omit οὐ before κατενόησεν, and they accordingly translate, "he considered his own body," thus making the idea to be that he was fully aware of the apparent impossibility of his having a son, but believed notwithstanding. But the reading of the Textus Receptus has good support, and especially that of the Greek Fathers, and gives the best sense) his own body now dead (already deadened - νενεκρώμενον ( ι.ε. with respect to virility. So, with the same reference, <a href="/hebrews/11-12.htm">Hebrews 11:12</a>), when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb; but he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong (rather, was strengthened) in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that what he had promised he was able also to perform. With regard to the construction of ver. 20, we may observe that, though in the Authorized Version, which is followed above, the prepositions put before "unbelief" and "faith" are varied, both words are datives without a preposition in the Greek, and apparently with the same force of the dative in both cases, the sense being, "With regard to the promise, etc., unbelief did not cause him to waver (οὑ διεκρίθη τῇ ἀπιστία), but faith made him strong ἐνεδυναμώθη τῇ πίστει)." The purport of the whole passage is to show, with reference to <a href="/genesis/17-15.htm">Genesis 17:15-22</a>; <a href="/genesis/18-9.htm">Genesis 18:9-16</a>, how Abraham's faith in the promise of a seed through Sarah, which seemed impossible in the natural course of things, corresponded in essence to our faith in "him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead" (ver. 24). It was faith in a Divine power above nature, able to quicken into supernatural life that which humanly is dead. And as Abraham's faith in this promised birth of Isaac involved a further faith in the fulfilment through him of all the promises, so our faith in the resurrection of Christ involves faith in all that is signified and assured to us thereby - in "the power of a Divine life" in him, to bring life out of death, to regenerate and quicken the spiritually dead, and finally in "eternal redemption" and the "restitution of all things" (cf. <a href="/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6</a>; <a href="/john/5-25.htm">John 5:25</a>; <a href="/romans/6-3.htm">Romans 6:3-12</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/3-21.htm">1 Corinthians 3:21-23</a>; <a href="/ephesians/1-18.htm">Ephesians 1:18-23</a>; <a href="/ephesians/2-4.htm">Ephesians 2:4-8</a>; <a href="/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18</a>; to which many other similarly significant passages might be added). It may be observed that, not only in the instance here adduced, but in his whole life as recorded in Genesis, Abraham stands forth as an exemplification of habitual faith in a Divine order beyond sight, and trust in Divine promises. In this consists the religious meaning of that record for us all. Notably so (as is especially set forth in <a href="/hebrews/11-17.htm">Hebrews 11:17</a>, etc.) in his willingness to sacrifice the son through whom the promise was to be fulfilled, retaining still his faith in the fulfilment. <a href="/commentaries/romans/4-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Against παρ’ (par’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3844.htm">Strong's 3844: </a> Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. all hope, ἐλπίδα (elpida) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1680.htm">Strong's 1680: </a> Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence. [Abraham] ὃς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. in ἐπ’ (ep’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> On, to, against, on the basis of, at. hope ἐλπίδι (elpidi) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1680.htm">Strong's 1680: </a> Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence. believed ἐπίστευσεν (episteusen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust. and so εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. became γενέσθαι (genesthai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle <a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. [the] father πατέρα (patera) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. of many πολλῶν (pollōn) Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4183.htm">Strong's 4183: </a> Much, many; often. nations, ἐθνῶν (ethnōn) Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1484.htm">Strong's 1484: </a> Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one. just as κατὰ (kata) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). he had been told, εἰρημένον (eirēmenon) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2046.htm">Strong's 2046: </a> Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say. “So Οὕτως (Houtōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3779.htm">Strong's 3779: </a> Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows). {shall} your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. offspring σπέρμα (sperma) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4690.htm">Strong's 4690: </a> From speiro; something sown, i.e. Seed; by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant. be.” ἔσται (estai) Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/romans/4-18.htm">NT Letters: Romans 4:18 Who in hope believed against hope (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/4-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 4:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 4:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/4-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 4:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 4:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>