Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Sarah's faith triumphed despite overwhelming natural impossibility. At ninety years old and barren her entire life, she received supernatural dynamis (δύναμις, 'power' or 'miraculous strength') to conceive and bear Isaac. This miracle required divine intervention, demonstrating that God delights to work through human impossibility to display His glory.
The phrase 'she judged him faithful who had promised' (pistonēgemato ton epangeilamemon) reveals faith's essence: confident reliance on God's character and Word despite contrary evidence. Though Sarah initially laughed in unbelief (Genesis 18:12-15), she ultimately embraced God's promise, trusting His faithfulness over her circumstances. This shows genuine faith may struggle and question initially but finally rests in God's reliability. Faith judges God more credible than sight, circumstances, or natural law.
Sarah's account foreshadows all salvation history: God brings spiritual life from death, creates something from nothing, accomplishes His purposes despite human inability. Her barrenness was not merely personal tragedy but theological crisis—how could covenant promises to Abraham be fulfilled without an heir? God's answer: supernatural intervention ensuring Isaac's birth would be undeniably His work, not human achievement. Similarly, our salvation originates entirely in God's sovereign grace, not human capacity (Ephesians 2:1-10).
Historical Context
Sarah lived approximately 2000 BC during the patriarchal period in Mesopotamia and Canaan. Her barrenness carried profound cultural shame in ancient Near Eastern society where a woman's worth was measured largely by bearing children, especially sons. Yet this barrenness served God's redemptive purposes: Isaac's miraculous birth through aged, barren parents demonstrated that God's covenant people originate from divine promise and power, not natural generation. This pattern continues through redemptive history, culminating in Christ's virgin birth—another humanly impossible conception through divine power.
Questions for Reflection
What 'impossible' situations in your life require judging God faithful despite contrary evidence?
How does Sarah's imperfect yet genuine faith encourage you when struggling with doubt?
In what ways does God's work through Sarah point forward to Christ's virgin birth and believers' spiritual regeneration?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Sarah's faith triumphed despite overwhelming natural impossibility. At ninety years old and barren her entire life, she received supernatural dynamis (δύναμις, 'power' or 'miraculous strength') to conceive and bear Isaac. This miracle required divine intervention, demonstrating that God delights to work through human impossibility to display His glory.
The phrase 'she judged him faithful who had promised' (pistonēgemato ton epangeilamemon) reveals faith's essence: confident reliance on God's character and Word despite contrary evidence. Though Sarah initially laughed in unbelief (Genesis 18:12-15), she ultimately embraced God's promise, trusting His faithfulness over her circumstances. This shows genuine faith may struggle and question initially but finally rests in God's reliability. Faith judges God more credible than sight, circumstances, or natural law.
Sarah's account foreshadows all salvation history: God brings spiritual life from death, creates something from nothing, accomplishes His purposes despite human inability. Her barrenness was not merely personal tragedy but theological crisis—how could covenant promises to Abraham be fulfilled without an heir? God's answer: supernatural intervention ensuring Isaac's birth would be undeniably His work, not human achievement. Similarly, our salvation originates entirely in God's sovereign grace, not human capacity (Ephesians 2:1-10).