Romans 4:18

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ὃς
G3739
Who
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#2
παρ'
G3844
against
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
#3
ἐλπίδι
G1680
hope
expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence
#4
ἐπ'
G1909
in
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#5
ἐλπίδι
G1680
hope
expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence
#6
ἐπίστευσεν
G4100
believed
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
#7
εἰς
G1519
that
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#8
τὸ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
γενέσθαι
G1096
might become
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
#10
αὐτὸν
G846
he
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
#11
πατέρα
G3962
the father
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
#12
πολλῶν
G4183
of many
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
#13
ἐθνῶν
G1484
nations
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
#14
κατὰ
G2596
according
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
#15
τὸ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
εἰρημένον·
G2046
to that which was spoken
an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say
#17
Οὕτως
G3779
So
in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)
#18
ἔσται
G2071
be
will be
#19
τὸ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#20
σπέρμα
G4690
seed
something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)
#21
σου
G4675
thy
of thee, thy

Analysis

The faith and obedience theme here intersects with the proper human response to divine revelation across Scripture. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing hope contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of Hellenistic epistolary literature with sophisticated theological argumentation shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of faith and obedience within the theological tradition of Romans Understanding a worldview shaped by both Jewish monotheism and Greco-Roman philosophical thought helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes hope in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Topics