17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who 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. 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: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; (Romans 4:17-22 KJV)
Righteousness imputed
Having observed when Abraham was justified by faith, and why, for the honour of Abraham and for example to us who call him father, the apostle here describes and commends the faith of Abraham. He believed God who quickens the dead and calls things which are not as though they were (Ro 4:17). It was promised that he should be the father of many nations, when he and his wife were now as good as dead (Heb 11:11-12). He looked upon God as one who could breathe life into dry bones, who could give him a child in old age, and who could bring the Gentiles, dead in trespasses and sins, to spiritual life (Eph 2:1; Eph 1:19-20).
The justification and salvation of sinners, the calling of those who had not been a people, was God giving being to things that were not (Gen 1:3; 2Co 4:6). This shows his absolute power and sovereignty, the stay of faith when all other props sink. Abraham thus became the father of many nations before God whom he believed, for it is by faith in God that we are accepted and conformed to him.
Against hope, he believed in hope (Rom 4:18). All the arguments of sense and reason were against him, but he believed, trusting the all-sufficiency of God, that he might become the father of many nations. He refers to the promise (Gen 15:5), “So shall thy seed be,” as innumerable as the stars. This was counted to him for righteousness (Rom 4:6). Though earlier he thought he would go childless (Rom 4:2–3), his faith triumphed against hope.
Being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body, already as good as dead (Rom 4:19). Though he once said in wonder, “Shall a child be born to him that is a hundred years old?” (Gen 17:17), he did not dwell on the difficulty, but fixed his thoughts on the faithfulness of God’s promise. Weak faith lies pondering impossibilities, but Abraham passed them by and rested on God.
He staggered not at the promise through unbelief (Rom 4:20). He did not dispute within himself, nor deliberate whether to believe, but resolved with holy boldness to venture all upon God’s word. Unbelief is the cause of staggering, but Abraham’s faith was steadfast.
He was strong in faith, giving glory to God. His faith grew by exercise; the victory over his fears honoured God, for as unbelief makes him a liar (1Jo 5:10), faith sets to its seal that he is true (Joh 3:33). Abraham’s faith acknowledged God’s wisdom, power, goodness, and faithfulness. To believe God is to give him glory; and Christ himself most commended great faith (Mt 8:10; Mt 15:28).
He was fully persuaded that what God had promised he was able to perform (Rom 4:21). Like a ship carried with full sail into harbour, he pressed on through storms of doubt, having taken God as his pilot and the promise as his compass. He trusted not in sense or reason, but in God’s power. Therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness (Rom 4:22). With such confidence he ventured all on the promise, and God graciously accepted it as righteousness. This shows why faith is chosen as the prime condition of justification, for it above all gives glory to God.