The Meaning of Romans 4:20 Explained

Romans 4:20

KJV: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

YLT: and at the promise of God did not stagger in unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, having given glory to God,

Darby: and hesitated not at the promise of God through unbelief; but found strength in faith, giving glory to God;

ASV: yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

<1161> He staggered  not  at  the promise  of God  through unbelief;  but  was strong  in faith,  giving  glory  to God; 

What does Romans 4:20 Mean?

Context Summary

Romans 4:16-25 - Following Abraham In Faith In God
Notice the remarkable alteration made by the r.v. in Romans 4:19. The a.v. suggests that Abraham refused to consider the physical disabilities which seemed to make the fulfillment of God's promise impossible; the r.v. says that he looked them all quietly in the face, as though taking into account all their significance and force. Then he looked to the promise; and after balancing one against the other, he decided absolutely and confidently that the Word of God must stand, however great and forbidding the difficulties in the way. He was fully persuaded that what God had promised he was able to perform.
Let us remember, then, that from the time we trust Christ-whatever may have been our present frailties and temptations-we are reckoned as righteous in the sight of God. Yes, and in addition, we may count on absolute deliverance from the power of sin. Do not look down, brooding over your weakness! Do not look back upon your past, strewn with failure! Look up to the living Christ! All the promises of God are yea and amen in Christ Jesus, 2 Corinthians 1:20. [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 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

Greek Commentary for Romans 4:20

He wavered not through unbelief [ου διεκριτη τηι απιστιαι]
First aorist passive indicative of old and common verb διακρινω — diakrinō to separate, to distinguish between, to decide between, to desert, to dispute, to be divided in one‘s own mind. This last sense occurs here as in Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:23; Romans 14:23; James 1:6. “He was not divided in his mind by unbelief” (instrumental case). [source]
Waxed strong through faith [ενεδυναμωτη τηι πιστει]
First aorist passive again of ενδυναμοω — endunamoō late word to empower, to put power in, in lxx and Paul and Acts 9:22. [source]
Staggered [διεκρίθη]
Rev., better, wavered. See on Acts 11:12; see on James 1:6; see on James 2:4. The word implies a mental struggle. [source]
Promise [ἐπαγγελίαν]
See on Acts 1:4. [source]
Was strong [ἐνεδυναμώθη]
Passive voice. Lit., was strengthened, or endued with strength. Rev., waxed strong. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 4:20

Acts 9:22 Increased the more [μαλλον ενεδυναμουτο]
Imperfect passive indicative of ενδυναμοω — endunamoō to receive power (late verb), progressive increase in strength as opposition grew. Saul‘s recantation stirred controversy and Saul grew in power. See also Paul in Philemon 4:13; 1 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 2:1; 2 Timothy 4:17; Romans 4:20. Christ, the dynamo of spiritual energy, was now pouring power (Acts 1:8) into Paul who is already filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17). [source]
Romans 3:3 Did not believe [ἠπίστησαν]
Rev., were without faith. Not, as some, were unfaithful, which is contrary to New Testament usage. See Mark 16:11, Mark 16:16; Luke 24:11, Luke 24:41; Acts 28:24; Romans 4:20, etc. The Rev. rendering is preferable, as bringing out the paronomasia between the Greek words: were without faith; their want of faith; the faithfulness of God. [source]
Romans 14:23 He that doubteth [ο διακρινομενος]
Present middle participle of διακρινω — diakrinō to judge between (δια — dia), to hesitate. See notes on James 1:6. for this same picture of the double-minded man. Cf. Romans 4:20; Mark 11:23. [source]
Romans 3:3 Some were without faith [ηπιστησαν]
First aorist active indicative of απιστεω — apisteō old verb, to disbelieve. This is the common N.T. meaning (Luke 24:11, Luke 24:41; Acts 28:24; Romans 4:20). Some of them “disbelieved,” these “depositaries and guardians of revelation” (Denney). But the word also means to be unfaithful to one‘s trust and Lightfoot argues for that idea here and in 2 Timothy 2:13. The Revised Version renders it “faithless” there. Either makes sense here and both ideas are true of some of the Jews, especially concerning the Messianic promises and Jesus. The faithfulness of God (την πιστιν του τεου — tēn pistin tou theou). Undoubtedly πιστις — pistis has this sense here and not “faith.” God has been faithful (2 Timothy 2:13) whether the Jews (some of them) were simply disbelievers or untrue to their trust. Paul can use the words in two senses in Romans 3:3, but there is no real objection to taking ηπιστησαν απιστιαν πιστιν — ēpistēsanapistianpistin all to refer to faithfulness rather than just faith. [source]
Galatians 6:4 In himself [εἰς ἑαυτὸν]
Better, with regard to himself, or as concerns. For this use of εἰς see Romans 4:20; Romans 15:2; Romans 16:6; Ephesians 3:16. Not, he will keep his glorying to himself or abstain from boasting. He means that if, on examination, one finds in himself anything to boast of, his cause of boasting will lie simply and absolutely in that, and not in his merit as compared, to his own advantage, with that of another. [source]
Ephesians 6:10 Be strong [ἐνδυναμουοῦσθε]
Lit., be strengthened. Compare Romans 4:20, and Philemon 4:13. Power of His might. See on Ephesians 1:19. [source]
Ephesians 6:10 Be strong in the Lord [ενδυναμουστε εν κυριωι]
A late word in lxx and N.T. (Acts 9:22; Romans 4:20; Philemon 4:13), present passive imperative of ενδυναμοω — endunamoō from εν — en and δυναμις — dunamis to empower. See Philemon 1:10 for “in the strength of his might.” Not a hendiadys. [source]
Colossians 1:11 Strengthened [δυναμούμενοι]
Only here in the New Testament, but found in Septuagint. The compound ( ἐνδυναμόω to make strong ) is frequent in Paul, Romans 4:20; Ephesians 6:10; Philemon 4:13; 1 Timothy 1:12. [source]
1 Timothy 1:12 That enabled me [τωι ενδυναμωσαντι με]
First aorist active articular participle of ενδυναμοω — endunamoō Late verb, but regular Pauline idiom (Romans 4:20; Philemon 4:13; Ephesians 6:10; 1 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:17). Appointing me to his service (τεμενος εις διακονιαν — themenos eis diakonian). Second aorist middle participle. Pauline phrase and atmosphere (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:18, 1 Corinthians 12:28; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 4:1; Colossians 1:23; Ephesians 3:7; 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 4:5, 2 Timothy 4:11). [source]
2 Timothy 2:1 Be strong [ἐνδυναμοῦ]
In Paul, Romans 4:20; Ephesians 6:10; Philemon 4:13. Lit. be strengthened inwardly. [source]
2 Timothy 2:1 Be strengthened [ενδυναμου]
Present passive imperative of ενδυναμοω — endunamoō See already 1 Timothy 1:12; Romans 4:20; Philemon 4:13; Ephesians 6:10. “Keep on being empowered,” “keep in touch with the power.” [source]
Revelation 11:13 Gave glory to the God of heaven []
The phrase signifies not conversion, nor repentance, nor thanksgiving, but recognition, which is its usual sense in scripture. Compare Joshua 7:19(Sept.). John 9:24; Acts 12:23; Romans 4:20. [source]
Revelation 11:13 Fell [επεσεν]
Second aorist active indicative of πιπτω — piptō to fall. Only the tenth First aorist passive indicative of αποκτεινω — apokteinō as in Revelation 9:18.Seven thousand persons This use of ονοματα — onomata (names of men here) is like that in Revelation 3:4; Acts 1:15 and occurs in the papyri (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 196f.).Were affrighted (εμποβοι εγενοντο — emphoboi egenonto). “Became terrified,” old adjective (εν ποβος — enεδωκαν δοχαν — phobos fear) as in Luke 24:5; Acts 10:4; Acts 24:5. “A general movement toward Christianity, induced by fear or despair - a prediction fulfilled more than once in ecclesiastical history” (Swete).Gave glory First aorist active indicative of didōmi when they saw the effect of the earthquake, recognition of God‘s power (John 9:24; Acts 12:23; Romans 4:20). [source]
Revelation 11:13 Seven thousand persons [ονοματα αντρωπων χιλιαδες επτα]
This use of ονοματα — onomata (names of men here) is like that in Revelation 3:4; Acts 1:15 and occurs in the papyri (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 196f.).Were affrighted (εμποβοι εγενοντο — emphoboi egenonto). “Became terrified,” old adjective (εν ποβος — enεδωκαν δοχαν — phobos fear) as in Luke 24:5; Acts 10:4; Acts 24:5. “A general movement toward Christianity, induced by fear or despair - a prediction fulfilled more than once in ecclesiastical history” (Swete).Gave glory First aorist active indicative of didōmi when they saw the effect of the earthquake, recognition of God‘s power (John 9:24; Acts 12:23; Romans 4:20). [source]
Revelation 11:13 Gave glory [διδωμι]
First aorist active indicative of didōmi when they saw the effect of the earthquake, recognition of God‘s power (John 9:24; Acts 12:23; Romans 4:20). [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 4:20 mean?

At however the promise - of God not he did waver - through unbelief but was strengthened in faith having given glory - to God
εἰς δὲ τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ οὐ διεκρίθη τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ ἀλλὰ ἐνεδυναμώθη πίστει δοὺς δόξαν τῷ Θεῷ

εἰς  At 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἐπαγγελίαν  promise 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐπαγγελία  
Sense: announcement.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
διεκρίθη  he  did  waver 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: διακρίνω  
Sense: to separate, make a distinction, discriminate, to prefer.
τῇ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀπιστίᾳ  through  unbelief 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀπιστία 
Sense: unfaithfulness, faithless.
ἐνεδυναμώθη  was  strengthened 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐνδυναμόω  
Sense: to be strong, endue with strength, strengthen.
πίστει  in  faith 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: πίστις  
Sense: conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it.
δοὺς  having  given 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
δόξαν  glory 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: δόξα  
Sense: opinion, judgment, view.
τῷ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεῷ  to  God 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.