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Romans 4:18
ESV In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be."
NIV 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."
NASB In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, 'SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.'
CSB He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be.
NLT Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping — believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, 'That’s how many descendants you will have!'
KJV 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.
NKJV who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”

What does Romans 4:18 mean?

God credited Abraham with righteousness because of his faith. Paul has been using this as a strong example of God's plan for human salvation: one grounded in faith and belief, not in our good works or legalism. One of the things Abraham believed God about was that he and Sarah would have a son. This was not a sensible belief, looking from a purely humans perspective. Abraham and Sarah were outrageously far beyond the age when human beings are capable of having children. And yet, in the end, God honored that faith by providing them with a son, Isaac (Genesis 21:3).

Paul says here, though, that in hope, Abraham believed against all hope, that not only would he finally have a son with Sarah but that God would keep the promise to make him the father of many nations. Paul quotes that promise from Genesis 15:5. As Abraham looked up at the starry host of heaven, God told him, "So shall your offspring be."
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