Romans 4:18
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὃς
Who
G3739
ὃς
Who
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
παρ'
against
G3844
παρ'
against
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
ἐπ'
in
G1909
ἐπ'
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
ἐπίστευσεν
believed
G4100
ἐπίστευσεν
believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
6 of 21
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
εἰς
that
G1519
εἰς
that
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γενέσθαι
might become
G1096
γενέσθαι
might become
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
9 of 21
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
αὐτὸν
he
G846
αὐτὸν
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πατέρα
the father
G3962
πατέρα
the father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
11 of 21
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
πολλῶν
of many
G4183
πολλῶν
of many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
12 of 21
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
ἐθνῶν
nations
G1484
ἐθνῶν
nations
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
13 of 21
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
κατὰ
according
G2596
κατὰ
according
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
14 of 21
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰρημένον·
to that which was spoken
G2046
εἰρημένον·
to that which was spoken
Strong's:
G2046
Word #:
16 of 21
an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Romans 8:24For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?Acts 27:25Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.Romans 5:5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.Proverbs 13:12Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.Ezekiel 37:11Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern culture valued fertility and offspring as divine blessing and the pathway to a lasting legacy. For Abraham and Sarah to remain childless into extreme old age would have seemed like divine curse or abandonment. Abraham's faith that God would fulfill His promise despite biological impossibility demonstrated radical trust in God's character and power—precisely what Paul argues justifies.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to believe 'against hope upon hope,' and when do circumstances tempt you to stop believing God's promises?
- How is Abraham's faith in God's word over visible evidence a model for justifying faith today?
- Why does Paul keep emphasizing Abraham's calling to be 'father of many nations' throughout this chapter?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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. Paul describes Abraham's faith with paradoxical language: par' elpida ep' elpidi episteusen (παρ' ἐλπίδα ἐπ' ἐλπίδι ἐπίστευσεν, "against hope upon hope he believed"). There was no human basis (para, παρά, "contrary to") for hope—Abraham was approximately 100, Sarah 90, both reproductively dead. Yet upon hope (ep' elpidi, ἐπ' ἐλπίδι) he believed, founded on God's promise rather than circumstances.
The purpose (eis to genesthai, εἰς τὸ γενέσθαι, "in order that he might become") returns to Abraham's calling: father of many nations. The phrase kata to eirēmenon (κατὰ τὸ εἰρημένον, "according to what was spoken") references Genesis 15:5, where God showed Abraham the stars and said, "So shall your seed be." Abraham's faith was word-centered—he believed God's spoken promise against all contrary evidence. This illustrates pistis (πίστις, "faith") as trust in God's word over visible reality, a trust that justifies because it honors God as truthful and powerful.