Romans 4:20

The δέ, but, denotes the contrast to the possible and natural result of this consideration. Strictly speaking, the antithesis would have been the ἐνεδυναυώθη, he strengthened himself; but the apostle feels the need of reminding us first, in a negative form, of what might have been so easily produced under such conditions.

The εἰς τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, in regard to the promise, stands foremost. It was the object in contrast to that which was presented to his view by the effeteness of his own body and Sarah's. For the force of εἰς, comp. Romans 16:19.

The verb here: διακρίνεσθαι, to doubt, properly signifies to be parted, or to be divided into two men, one affirming, the other denying; one hoping and giving himself up, the other waiting to see: “but in regard to the promise, there was no division in him.” The complement: of God, brings out that which gave the promise this full power over his heart.

In the clause: through unbelief, the Greek substantive is preceded by the article: through the unbelief common among men, the well-known unbelief.

The ἀλλά, but, is more strongly adversative than the δέ : “But quite the contrary.” This word forcibly contrasts the idea of the strength drawn from the promise with the weakness arising from doubt. The verb ἐνεδυναμώθη may be translated as a passive: he was strengthened; comp. Hebrews 11:34; but it may also be taken in the middle and reflective sense: he strengthened himself, reinvigorated himself, Acts 9:22; Ephesians 6:10. The antithesis of the διακριθῆναι, to doubt, speaks rather in favor of the middle sense, unless we recur to the simply intransitive meaning: he grew in strength; this shade would perhaps be preferable; it harmonizes with the preposition ἐν, which enters into the composition of the verb, and denotes a growth of inward strength. In proportion as he contemplated the promise with a fixed regard, in which he put, so to speak, his whole soul, his entire being, body and spirit, was penetrated with a new force, the principle of the complete resurrection in which he had made bold to believe (Romans 4:17).

The clause by faith is usually connected with the verb he was strengthened; but so understood, these words do little more than repeat what has already been sufficiently expressed. It is better, therefore, to join them with the following participle: “by faith (by this faith) giving glory to God.” The position of this word, heading the clause to which it is thus joined, corresponds with the importance of the idea of faith in the whole piece. Man was created to glorify God. He did not do so by his obedience. It is by faith, at least, that in his state of sin he can return to the fulfilment of this glorious destination.

To give glory to God means in Scripture, to render homage either by word or deed, to one or other of God's attributes, or to His perfection in general. Wherein, in this case, did the homage consist? The apostle tells us in Romans 4:21: in the firm conviction which he cherished of God's faithfulness to His word and of His power to fulfil it.