Romans 4:20 Meaning: How Faith Grows Strong and Glorifies God
Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn’t waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God,
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God,
and at the promise of God did not stagger in unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, having given glory to God,
and hesitated not at the promise of God through unbelief; but found strength in faith, giving glory to God;
Meaning in one sentence
Romans 4:20 explained: Abraham's unwavering faith grew stronger and gave glory to God.
Context
Paul has spent Romans 4 showing that Abraham was justified by faith, not by works or circumcision. Abraham received God's promise that he would be the father of many nations, even though he was about a hundred years old and Sarah was barren. The verse sits inside a description of Abraham's inner posture: he did not weaken in faith when he looked at his own worn-out body. Instead, he focused on the promise itself. This is the center of Paul's argument, that real faith does not vanish when circumstances say no. It stays fixed on what God said, and that steady trust is what God counts as righteousness.
Key Words
Three Greek words hold the heart of this verse. The verb behind 'did not waver' is diakrinō. It means to be divided, to be pulled in two directions. Abraham did not let that split happen. He kept his attention whole on the promise.
The verb 'was strengthened' is enedunamōthē, in the passive voice. Abraham did not pump himself up with positive thinking. Strength was given to him from outside. His trust in God's promise became the channel through which God poured power into him.
And 'giving glory' uses doxa, the word for splendor and weight. To give glory to God here is not just singing praise. It is treating God as someone worthy of trust. When you believe a promise against all visible odds, you are saying: God is heavy enough to carry this. That is glory.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen this verse as a picture of what faith really is. The Reformed tradition, following Calvin, notes that Abraham did not cross-examine God's promise through the lens of unbelief, his heart was not looking for reasons to dismiss it. The Anglican Cambridge Bible calls it 'personal Trust' that looks wholly away from self and honors God as the faithful Promiser. Wesleyans and Methodists emphasize the power of hope against hope. All agree that Abraham's faith was not a passive feeling but an active strengthening. Even the question he asked about how the promise would come, some see that as wonder, not doubt. The point uniting these traditions is that faith glorifies God by taking Him at His word when everything else argues against it.
A common misunderstanding
A common mistake is to think Abraham never struggled with doubt. The verse says he 'wavered not,' which can sound like a perfect record. But verse 19 shows he considered his own body and Sarah's womb, he saw the impossibility. The wonder is that he did not let that sight shake him loose from the promise. Some people also think 'giving glory to God' means only verbal praise. In fact, the honor Abraham gave was his trust. By believing God could do what He said, Abraham treated God as truthful and powerful. That is the deepest worship.
Living This Out
You might be holding a promise from God that looks impossible right now. Maybe it is a verse you have prayed over for years, healing for a marriage, a child's return, provision for a need. Every day the facts say no. This verse invites you to do what Abraham did: keep looking at the promise, not at the evidence against it. Let the difficulty itself push you to depend on God more, not less. That growing trust is not denial; it is a choice to treat God as solid. And that choice, made again and again, is what gives Him glory. You do not have to pretend the hard things are not there. You just have to look past them to the One who made the promise.
Main takeaway: Trusting God when everything says otherwise is not weakness; it is the very act that honors Him.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Abraham was very old, but God said he would have a son. Abraham believed God, and that made God happy because Abraham trusted Him. When you trust God even when it is hard, you make God happy too.
For ages 9, 12
Abraham had good reason to doubt. He was about 100 years old, and his wife could not have children. But instead of letting doubt make him weak, his faith actually grew stronger. How did that happen? He kept his eyes on what God promised, not on what looked possible. He believed that God could do what He said. That kind of trust honors God. When you face something that seems impossible, you can do the same thing, look at God's promise, not at the problem.
Questions People Ask
What does 'he staggered not' mean in Romans 4:20?
The Greek word behind 'staggered' is diakrinō, which means to be divided or to hesitate. Paul is saying that Abraham did not let his mind be pulled in two directions. He did not let unbelief split his focus between God's promise and the visible obstacles.
How did Abraham grow strong in faith?
The Greek verb for 'was strengthened' is enedunamōthē, in the passive voice. Abraham did not strengthen himself through effort. Strength was given to him as he kept trusting the promise. His faith became a channel for God's power.
Does 'giving glory to God' mean praising Him?
It includes praise, but the core meaning is treating God as Someone worthy of trust. By believing God's promise despite the circumstances, Abraham honored God's faithfulness and power. His trust itself was an act of worship.
Did Abraham ever doubt God's promise?
The passage emphasizes that he did not waver through unbelief. But verse 19 shows he considered his own old body and Sarah's barrenness. He saw the impossibility. His faith was not naïve, he recognized the obstacles but chose to trust the Promiser anyway.
How can I apply Romans 4:20 to my own life?
When you face a situation where God's promise seems impossible, whether in health, finances, or relationships, you can keep your focus on the promise and the God who made it. That steady trust, even in difficulty, is what gives glory to God and grows your faith stronger.
For pastors & researchers
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