Romans 4:19
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:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μὴ
being not
G3361
μὴ
being not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
2 of 21
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστει
in faith
G4102
πίστει
in faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
5 of 21
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἑαυτοῦ
his own
G1438
ἑαυτοῦ
his own
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
9 of 21
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
σῶμα
body
G4983
σῶμα
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
10 of 21
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
ὑπάρχων
when he was
G5225
ὑπάρχων
when he was
Strong's:
G5225
Word #:
15 of 21
to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Genesis 17:17Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?Matthew 14:31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?Matthew 8:26And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.Matthew 6:30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Historical Context
Genesis 17:17 records Abraham's initial laughter of incredulity when told he'd have a son at 100. Yet Genesis 15:6 says he believed and it was counted as righteousness. Paul focuses on the settled faith that persisted through doubt, showing that justifying faith is directional trust in God's promise, not perfect freedom from questions or struggles. This pastoral insight offers hope for believers who wrestle with doubt.
Questions for Reflection
- How is Abraham's honest acknowledgment of obstacles different from weak faith, and what does this teach about biblical faith?
- Why does Paul use death-language ('dead body,' 'deadness of womb') to describe Abraham and Sarah's condition?
- In what situations do you confuse 'considering the obstacles' with 'weak faith,' and how does Abraham's example correct this?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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: Paul details the obstacles to faith that Abraham overcame. The phrase mē asthenēsas tē pistei (μὴ ἀσθενήσας τῇ πίστει, "not being weak in faith") uses the aorist participle, emphasizing decisive action rather than gradual process. Abraham did not grow weak when he katenośen (κατενόησεν, "considered/perceived") the facts: his body nenekrōmenon (νενεκρωμένον, perfect passive participle, "having been deadened/made dead") at about 100 years, and the nekrōsin tēs mētras Sarras (νέκρωσιν τῆς μήτρας Σάρρας, "deadness of Sarah's womb").
Faith is not pretending obstacles don't exist but trusting God despite them. Abraham fully recognized the biological impossibility—Paul uses the language of death (nekros, νεκρός) twice, echoing v. 17's God who gives life to the dead. The point is crucial: faith doesn't require ignorance or denial of reality, but trust that God's promise is more real than present circumstances. This anticipates Christian faith: we acknowledge sin's deadness yet believe God justifies the ungodly (v. 5). We see Christ crucified yet believe He is risen (v. 24-25).