New International VersionAgainst all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
New Living TranslationEven when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”
English Standard VersionIn hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”
Berean Standard BibleAgainst all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”
Berean Literal Biblewho against hope, in hope believed, for him to become the father of many nations, according to that having been spoken, "So shall your offspring be."
King James BibleWho 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.
New King James Versionwho, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”
New American Standard BibleIn hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.”
NASB 1995In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.”
NASB 1977In hope against hope he believed, in order that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.”
Legacy Standard BibleIn hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR SEED BE.”
Amplified BibleIn hope against hope Abraham believed that he would become a father of many nations, as he had been promised [by God]: “SO [numberless] SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.”
Christian Standard BibleHe believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be.
Holman Christian Standard BibleHe believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be.
American Standard VersionWho in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be.
Contemporary English VersionGod promised Abraham a lot of descendants. And when it all seemed hopeless, Abraham still had faith in God and became the ancestor of many nations.
English Revised VersionWho in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationWhen there was nothing left to hope for, Abraham still hoped and believed. As a result, he became a father of many nations, as he had been told: "That is how many descendants you will have."
Good News TranslationAbraham believed and hoped, even when there was no reason for hoping, and so became "the father of many nations." Just as the scripture says, "Your descendants will be as many as the stars."
International Standard VersionHoping in spite of hopeless circumstances, he believed that he would become "the father of many nations," just as he had been told: "This is how many descendants you will have."
NET BibleAgainst hope Abraham believed in hope with the result that he became the father of many nations according to the pronouncement, "so will your descendants be."
New Heart English BibleWho hoped in spite of hopeless circumstances, with the result that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, "so will your descendants be."
Webster's Bible TranslationWho against hope believed with hope, that he should become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
Weymouth New TestamentUnder utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so that he might become the forefather of many nations, in agreement with the words "Equally numerous shall your posterity be." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAgainst all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”
World English BibleAgainst hope, Abraham in hope believed, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, “So will your offspring be.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWho, against hope, believed in hope, for his becoming father of many nations according to that spoken: “So will your seed be”;
Berean Literal Biblewho against hope, in hope believed, for him to become the father of many nations, according to that having been spoken, "So shall your offspring be."
Young's Literal Translation Who, against hope in hope did believe, for his becoming father of many nations according to that spoken: 'So shall thy seed be;'
Smith's Literal TranslationWho against hope believed upon hope, for him to become father of many nations, according to that said, So shall thy seed be. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWho against hope believed in hope; that he might be made the father of many nations, according to that which was said to him: So shall thy seed be.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd he believed, with a hope beyond hope, so that he might become the father of many nations, according to what was said to him: “Thus shall your posterity shall be.”
New American BibleHe believed, hoping against hope, that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “Thus shall your descendants be.”
New Revised Standard VersionHoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall your descendants be.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor he who was hopeless trusted in hope, that he might become the father of many peoples, as it is written, So shall your seed be.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd without hope he believed in hope that he would be the father to the multitude of the nations according to what is written: “Thus shall your seed be.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentHe, against hope, confidently believed that he would become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken: So shall your posterity be.
Godbey New Testamentwho against hope confided in hope, that he should be the father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be:
Haweis New TestamentWho contrary to hope, in hope believed, that he should be the father of many nations, according to what was said, “So shall thy seed be.”
Mace New Testament
he it was who against hope believed in hope, that he should become the father of many nations, according to what was told him, "so shall thy posterity be:"
Weymouth New Testament
Under utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so that he might become the forefather of many nations, in agreement with the words "Equally numerous shall your posterity be."
Worrell New Testament
who, past hope, believed against hope, to the end that he might becomethe father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, "So shall your seed be."
Worsley New Testament
who against hope believed, with hope, that he should be the father of many nations, according to that which was saidunto him, "So shall thy seed be."
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Abraham Receives the Promise… 17As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist. 18Againstall hope,Abrahaminhopebelievedand sobecamethe fatherof manynations,just ashe had been told,“Soshall youroffspringbe.”19Without 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.…
Cross References Genesis 15:5And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Hebrews 11:11-12By 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. / And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
Genesis 17:5No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.
Genesis 22:17I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies.
Galatians 3:6-9So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” / Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. / The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” ...
Hebrews 6:13-15When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself, / saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.” / And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise.
Genesis 21:12But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.
James 2:21-23Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? / You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did. / And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.
Genesis 12:2-3I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”
Galatians 4:28Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.
Genesis 18:14Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”
Hebrews 11:17-19By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, / even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death.
Genesis 13:16I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.
Galatians 3:29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
Genesis 26:4I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed,
Treasury of Scripture Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall your seed be. against. 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: Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? So shall. Genesis 15:5,6 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be… Jump to Previous AbrahamAgreementBelieveBelievedCircumstancesDescendantsEndEquallyFaithForefatherHopeHopefullyHopelessHopingNationsNumerousPosterityReasonSeedUtterlyWordsJump to Next AbrahamAgreementBelieveBelievedCircumstancesDescendantsEndEquallyFaithForefatherHopeHopefullyHopelessHopingNationsNumerousPosterityReasonSeedUtterlyWordsRomans 4 1.Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness;10.before he was circumcised.13.By faith only he and his seed received the promise.16.Abraham is the father of all who believe.24.Our faith also shall be credited to us as righteousness.Against all hopeThis phrase highlights the seemingly impossible situation Abraham faced. Despite his old age and Sarah's barrenness, Abraham's faith transcended human logic. This reflects the biblical theme of God working beyond human limitations, as seen in other instances like the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and the virgin birth of Jesus ( Matthew 1:18-25). Abraham in hope believed
Abraham's faith is a central theme in the Bible, often cited as a model for believers. His belief was not based on visible evidence but on trust in God's promise. This mirrorsHebrews 11:1, which defines faith as confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Abraham's faith is also a precursor to the New Testament teaching of justification by faith (Romans 4:3). and so became the father of many nations
This phrase fulfills God's promise to Abraham inGenesis 17:4-5, where God declares that Abraham will be the father of many nations. This promise is not only biological, through Isaac and Ishmael, but also spiritual, as believers in Christ are considered Abraham's descendants (Galatians 3:29). The phrase underscores the global scope of God's covenant with Abraham. just as he had been told
This refers to God's specific promise to Abraham inGenesis 15:5, where God tells him to look at the stars and promises that his offspring will be as numerous. This assurance from God is a testament to His faithfulness and the reliability of His word, a theme echoed throughout Scripture (Isaiah 55:11). “So shall your offspring be.”
This quote fromGenesis 15:5 emphasizes the certainty of God's promise. It also points to the future fulfillment in Christ, through whom all nations are blessed (Galatians 3:8). The phrase serves as a reminder of the continuity of God's plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament, culminating in the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbrahamThe central figure in this verse, Abraham is a patriarch in the Bible, known for his faith and obedience to God. He is considered the father of many nations and a key figure in the covenant between God and His people. 2. God's PromiseThe promise made by God to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, despite his old age and the barrenness of his wife, Sarah. 3. Hope and BeliefThe verse highlights the contrast between human hope and divine promise, emphasizing Abraham's faith in God's word against all odds. Teaching Points Faith Beyond CircumstancesAbraham's faith was not based on visible circumstances but on the promise of God. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's promises even when situations seem impossible. The Nature of HopeBiblical hope is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation based on God's faithfulness. Christians are called to maintain hope in God's promises. The Power of God's WordJust as God's word to Abraham was fulfilled, believers can trust that God's word will come to pass in their lives. Legacy of FaithAbraham's faith had generational impact, reminding believers that their faith can influence future generations. Righteousness Through FaithAbraham's belief was credited as righteousness, illustrating the principle that faith, not works, is the basis of righteousness before God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Romans 4:18?
2.How does Romans 4:18 demonstrate faith despite impossible circumstances?
3.What can we learn from Abraham's hope when facing challenges in our lives?
4.How does Romans 4:18 connect with Hebrews 11:1 on faith's definition?
5.How can we apply Abraham's example of hope to our daily struggles?
6.What role does God's promise play in strengthening our faith like Abraham's?
7.How does Romans 4:18 illustrate the concept of hope against hope in faith?
8.What historical context supports Abraham's hope as described in Romans 4:18?
9.How does Romans 4:18 challenge modern views on faith and reason?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Romans 4?
11.If Ezekiel 7 portrays imminent destruction, how do we align that with later passages in the Bible that describe restoration and continued divine protection?
12.What does it mean to be full of hope?
13.Why did Abraham prepare to sacrifice his son Isaac?
14.What does it mean to be full of hope?What Does Romans 4:18 Mean Against all hopeAbraham and Sarah were far beyond child-bearing years—“his own body was as good as dead … and Sarah’s womb was also dead” (Romans 4:19). From any human vantage point his situation screamed impossible. Yet Scripture consistently shows that: - God delights in working where human prospects have vanished (2 Kings 3:17;John 11:39-40). - He “calls things that are not as though they were” (Romans 4:17). - Hopeless moments become platforms for His glory (Judges 7:2-7;2 Corinthians 1:8-9).
Abraham in hope believedBiblical hope is confident expectation rooted in God’s character, not wishful thinking. Abraham anchored himself in what God had spoken: - “Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). - “He grew strong in faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised” (Romans 4:20-21). -Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that faith gives substance to hope;Hebrews 11:11-12 notes that Sarah received power to conceive because she judged God faithful.
and so became the father of many nationsThe promise stretched beyond a single ethnic line: - Physically—Israel sprang from Isaac (Genesis 17:19; 21:3-5). - Spiritually—all who trust Christ are counted Abraham’s children (Galatians 3:7-9, 29). - Ultimately the vision soars to “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation” praising the Lamb (Revelation 7:9-10). Paul cites this to show that God’s plan always included Jew and Gentile united through faith.
just as he had been toldEvery detail unfolded exactly in line with God’s word: - “Is anything too difficult for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:14). - “Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled” (Joshua 21:45). - “The word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). Abraham’s confidence rested on the unchanging reliability of the One who speaks.
“So shall your offspring be.”God first uttered these words while Abram gazed at the night sky: “Look to the heavens and count the stars … So shall your offspring be” (Genesis 15:5). That staggering comparison carried two assurances: - Quantity—innumerable descendants, both physical and spiritual (Genesis 22:17;Hebrews 11:12). - Quality—offspring characterized by faith, culminating in the promised Seed, Christ (Galatians 3:16). Believers today, adopted through Christ (John 1:12;Romans 8:15-17), shine as part of that starry promise.
summaryRomans 4:18 showcases a man who trusted God when every earthly indicator pointed to defeat. Hope anchored in divine promise triumphed over hopelessness, bringing forth a family that spans the globe and the ages. The verse invites us to rest in the same faithful God who still turns impossibilities into fulfilled promises for all who believe. (18-22) Extended description of the faith of Abraham. (18)Who.--It must be noticed that the relative here refers to Abraham, whereas in the previous verse it referred to God. Believed in hope.--The force of the preposition gives rather to the sentence the meaning of "grounded his faith upon hope"--that internal subjective hope that was strong within him, though there were no objective grounds for hoping. That he might become.--So as by exercise of faith to carry out God's purpose. Verses 18-21. - Who against hope in hope believed ( παρ ἐλπίδα ἐπ ἐλπίδι - an oxymoron. For a similar use of ἐπ ἐλπίδι, see 1 Corinthians 9:10; also below, Romans 5:2. Its position in the Authorized Version might suggest its dependence on "believed," which is grammatically possible (cf. Romans 9:33; Romans 10:11), but unallowable here, since hope cannot well be regarded as the object of belief) to the end he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be ( Genesis 15:5, viz. "as the stars"). And being not weak in faith, he considered not ( i.e. paid no regard to as a hindrance to faith. The codices relied on by our recent Revisers omit οὐ before κατενόησεν, and they accordingly translate, "he considered his own body," thus making the idea to be that he was fully aware of the apparent impossibility of his having a son, but believed notwithstanding. But the reading of the Textus Receptus has good support, and especially that of the Greek Fathers, and gives the best sense) his own body now dead ( already deadened -νενεκρώμενον ( ι.ε. with respect to virility. So, with the same reference, Hebrews 11:12), when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb; but he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong (rather, was strengthened) in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that what he had promised he was able also to perform. With regard to the construction of ver. 20, we may observe that, though in the Authorized Version, which is followed above, the prepositions put before "unbelief" and "faith" are varied, both words are datives without a preposition in the Greek, and apparently with the same force of the dative in both cases, the sense being, "With regard to the promise, etc., unbelief did not cause him to waver ( οὑ διεκρίθη τῇ ἀπιστία) , but faith made him strong ἐνεδυναμώθη τῇ πίστει)." The purport of the whole passage is to show, with reference to Genesis 17:15-22; Genesis 18:9-16, how Abraham's faith in the promise of a seed through Sarah, which seemed impossible in the natural course of things, corresponded in essence to our faith in "him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead" (ver. 24). It was faith in a Divine power above nature, able to quicken into supernatural life that which humanly is dead. And as Abraham's faith in this promised birth of Isaac involved a further faith in the fulfilment through him of all the promises, so our faith in the resurrection of Christ involves faith in all that is signified and assured to us thereby - in "the power of a Divine life" in him, to bring life out of death, to regenerate and quicken the spiritually dead, and finally in "eternal redemption" and the "restitution of all things" (cf. John 3:6; John 5:25; Romans 6:3-12; 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; Ephesians 1:18-23; Ephesians 2:4-8; Revelation 1:18; to which many other similarly significant passages might be added). It may be observed that, not only in the instance here adduced, but in his whole life as recorded in Genesis, Abraham stands forth as an exemplification of habitual faith in a Divine order beyond sight, and trust in Divine promises. In this consists the religious meaning of that record for us all. Notably so (as is especially set forth in Hebrews 11:17, etc.) in his willingness to sacrifice the son through whom the promise was to be fulfilled, retaining still his faith in the fulfilment.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Againstπαρ’(par’)Preposition
Strong's 3844:Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.all hope,ἐλπίδα(elpida)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1680:Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence.[Abraham]ὃς(hos)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.inἐπ’(ep’)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.hopeἐλπίδι(elpidi)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1680:Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence.believedἐπίστευσεν(episteusen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4100:From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.and soεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.becameγενέσθαι(genesthai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle
Strong's 1096:A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.[the] fatherπατέρα(patera)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962:Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.of manyπολλῶν(pollōn)Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 4183:Much, many; often.nations,ἐθνῶν(ethnōn)Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484:Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.just asκατὰ(kata)Preposition
Strong's 2596:A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).he had been told,εἰρημένον(eirēmenon)Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2046:Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.“SoΟὕτως(Houtōs)Adverb
Strong's 3779:Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).{shall} yourσου(sou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.offspringσπέρμα(sperma)Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4690:From speiro; something sown, i.e. Seed; by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant.be.”ἔσται(estai)Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.
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NT Letters: Romans 4:18 Who in hope believed against hope (Rom. Ro) |
