Romans 4:20
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Original Language Analysis
εἰς
at
G1519
εἰς
at
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
1 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπαγγελίαν
the promise
G1860
ἐπαγγελίαν
the promise
Strong's:
G1860
Word #:
4 of 18
an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
of God
G2316
θεῷ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
6 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
διεκρίθη
He staggered
G1252
διεκρίθη
He staggered
Strong's:
G1252
Word #:
8 of 18
to separate thoroughly, i.e., (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by implication,
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπιστίᾳ
through unbelief
G570
ἀπιστίᾳ
through unbelief
Strong's:
G570
Word #:
10 of 18
faithlessness, i.e., (negatively) disbelief (lack of christian faith), or (positively) unfaithfulness (disobedience)
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστει
in faith
G4102
πίστει
in faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
14 of 18
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
δοὺς
giving
G1325
δοὺς
giving
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
15 of 18
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
δόξαν
glory
G1391
δόξαν
glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
16 of 18
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
Cross References
Luke 1:45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.1 Corinthians 16:13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.2 Corinthians 12:10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.Daniel 10:19And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.Isaiah 35:4Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.Isaiah 7:9And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.2 Timothy 2:1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.Zechariah 8:13And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.Zechariah 8:9Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.2 Kings 7:19And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
Historical Context
In ancient honor-shame cultures, to question someone's word was to dishonor them. Abraham's unwavering trust in God's promise honored God by treating His word as utterly reliable. Conversely, unbelief implicitly accuses God of being either untruthful or impotent. Paul's emphasis on faith as glorifying God shows that justification is ultimately about vindicating God's character and trustworthiness.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Paul say Abraham was 'strengthened' (passive) in faith rather than that he strengthened his own faith?
- How is believing God's promise a way of glorifying Him, and how does unbelief dishonor Him?
- What promises of God do you struggle to believe, and how might embracing them bring glory to God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; Paul states negatively then positively what Abraham did. Negatively: ou diekrithē tē apistia (οὐ διεκρίθη τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ, "he did not waver in unbelief") at the promise. The verb diakrinō (διακρίνω) means to be divided, hesitate, doubt—Abraham was not double-minded (cf. James 1:6-8). The instrumental tē apistia (τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ, "by unbelief") identifies the mechanism of wavering—unbelief produces instability and doubt.
Positively: enedunamōthē tē pistei (ἐνεδυναμώθη τῇ πίστει, "he was strengthened in faith"). The passive voice is crucial—Abraham didn't generate strength, he was strengthened. Faith's power comes from its object (God) not its subject (the believer). The result was dous doxan tō theō (δοὺς δόξαν τῷ θεῷ, "giving glory to God"). To believe God's promise is to glorify Him; to doubt it is to dishonor Him. This connects to 1:21's indictment—fallen humanity fails to glorify God. Abraham's faith reversed this, treating God as trustworthy and powerful, thus glorifying Him.