SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:18
El cual crey para esperar contra esperanza, que sería hecho padre de muchos gentiles, conforme a lo que le había sido dicho: Así ser tu simiente.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 4:18
Verse 18. Who against hope believed in hope] The faith of Abraham bore an exact correspondence to the power and never- failing faithfulness of God; for though, in the ordinary course of things, he had not the best foundation of hope, yet he believed that he should be the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken; namely, that his posterity should be like the stars of heaven for multitude, and like the dust of the earth.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 18. Who against hope believed in hope , etc..] Abraham believed the promise of God, that he might become the father of many nations , being assisted by a supernatural aid: in hope; of the fulfilment of it by the grace and power of God: against hope: against all visible, rational grounds of hope; Sarah's womb and his own body being dead, but inasmuch as God had said it, he believed: according to that which is spoken, so shall thy seed be ; his faith rested upon the word of God, which showed the nature of it, and that it was of the right kind.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 13-22 - The promise was made to Abraham long before the law. It points a Christ, and it refers to the promise, Ge 12:3. In Thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. The law worketh wrath, by showin that every transgressor is exposed to the Divine displeasure. As God intended to give men a title to the promised blessings, so he appointe it to be by faith, that it might be wholly of grace, to make it sure to all who were of the like precious faith with Abraham, whether Jews of Gentiles, in all ages. The justification and salvation of sinners, the taking to himself the Gentiles who had not been a people, were gracious calling of things which are not, as though they were; and thi giving a being to things that were not, proves the almighty power of God. The nature and power of Abraham's faith are shown. He believe God's testimony, and looked for the performance of his promise, firml hoping when the case seemed hopeless. It is weakness of faith, tha makes a man lie poring on the difficulties in the way of a promise Abraham took it not for a point that would admit of argument or debate Unbelief is at the bottom of all our staggerings at God's promises. The strength of faith appeared in its victory over fears. God honour faith; and great faith honours God. It was imputed to him for righteousness. Faith is a grace that of all others gives glory to God Faith clearly is the instrument by which we receive the righteousnes of God, the redemption which is by Christ; and that which is the instrument whereby we take or receive it, cannot be the thing itself nor can it be the gift thereby taken and received. Abraham's faith di not justify him by its own merit or value, but as giving him a part in Christ.
Greek Textus Receptus
ος 3739 R-NSM παρ 3844 PREP ελπιδα 1680 N-ASF επ 1909 PREP ελπιδι 1680 N-DSF επιστευσεν 4100 5656 V-AAI-3S εις 1519 PREP το 3588 T-ASN γενεσθαι 1096 5635 V-2ADN αυτον 846 P-ASM πατερα 3962 N-ASM πολλων 4183 A-GPN εθνων 1484 N-GPN κατα 2596 PREP το 3588 T-ASN ειρημενον 2046 5772 V-RPP-ASN-ATT ουτως 3779 ADV εσται 2071 5704 V-FXI-3S το 3588 T-NSN σπερμα 4690 N-NSN σου 4675 P-2GS
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:18 {In hope believed against hope} (par' elpida ep' elpidi episteusen). "Past hope in (upon) hope he trusted." Graphic picture. {To the end that he might become} (eis to genesqai auton). Purpose clause again with eis to and the infinitive as in verses #11-16.
