“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.”
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.' Abraham's faith operates against natural probability: his body was as good as dead, and Sarah was barren. Yet he believed in hope—trusted God's promise despite circumstances that should have made it impossible. His faith became generative; he became the father of many nations.
Church Fathers on Romans 4:18
“Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall your seed be.” How was it that he “believed in hope against hope?” It was against man's hope, in hope which is of God. (For he is showing the loftiness of the action, and leaving no room for disbelieving what is said.) Things which are contrary to one another, yet faith blends them together. But if he were speaking about such as were from Ishmael,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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