Bible Strands
Romans 4:19
Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to believers in Rome, using Abraham as a historical example to illustrate justification by faith. He places this observation between verses 18 and 20 to bridge Abraham’s hopeful belief and his subsequent strengthening in faith.
The words — The Greek ἀσθενήσας (asthenēsas) means "having become weak," and κατενόησεν (katenoēsen) means "he considered" or "acknowledged." Paul combines these terms to show that Abraham’s faith did not ignore physical reality but consciously recognized it without yielding to doubt.
The thread — This recognition of biological impossibility runs parallel to Genesis 17:17, where Abraham laughs at the prospect of a son at age one hundred, and Hebrews 11:11, which highlights Sarah’s barrenness and advanced age. Paul links these accounts to demonstrate a consistent biblical pattern of faith confronting physical limits.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to accept that genuine faith operates precisely when circumstances appear hopeless, without demanding denial of observable reality. It asks the reader to trust God’s promise despite measurable physical evidence to the contrary.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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:
Cross-references
- Hebrews 11:11 By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised.
- Genesis 17:17 Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?”
- Romans 4:20 Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
- Genesis 18:11 And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.
- Matthew 6:30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
- Matthew 8:26 “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.
- Matthew 14:31 Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”
- Mark 9:23 “If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!”
- John 20:27 Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”
- Romans 14:21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.