man an hundred years old, and to a woman of ninety; for in his astonishment he fully admitted the
power of God’s word. On the other hand, a similar laughter and inquiry on the part of Sarah were
not without reproof, because she regarded not the promise as valid.
If these things be applied to our present subject, it will be evident, that the justification of
Abraham had no other beginning than that of the Gentiles. Hence the Jews reproach their own
father, if they exclaim against the call of the Gentiles as a thing unreasonable. Let us also remember,
that the condition of us all is the same with that of Abraham. All things around us are in opposition
to the promises of God: He promises immortality; we are surrounded with mortality and corruption:
He declares that he counts us just; we are covered with sins: He testifies that he is propitious and
kind to us; outward judgments threaten his wrath. What then is to be done? We must with closed
eyes pass by ourselves and all things connected with us, that nothing may hinder or prevent us from
believing that God is true.
But he was strengthened, etc. This is of the same import with a former clause, when it is said,
that he was not weak in faith. It is the same as though he had said, that he overcame unbelief by
the constancy and firmness of faith.^147 No one indeed comes forth a conqueror from this contest,
but he who borrows weapons and strength from the word of God. From what he adds, giving glory
to God, it must be observed, that no greater honor can be given to God, than by faith to seal his
truth; as, on the other hand, no greater dishonor can be done to him, than to refuse his offered favor,
or to discredit his word. It is hence the chief thing in honoring God, obediently to embrace his
promises: and true religion begins with faith.
21.That what he had promised, etc. As all men acknowledge God’s power, Paul seems to say
nothing very extraordinary of the faith of Abraham; but experience proves, that nothing is more
uncommon, or more difficult, than to ascribe to God’s power the honor which it deserves. There
is in deed no obstacle, however small and insignificant, by which the flesh imagines the hand of
God is restrained from working. Hence it is, that in the slightest trials, the promises of God slide
away from us. When there is no contest, it is true, no one, as I have said, denies that God can do
all things; but as soon as anything comes in the way to impede the course of God’s promise, we
cast down God’s power from its eminence. Hence, that it may obtain from us its right and its honor,
when a contest comes, we ought to determine thus, — That it is no less sufficient to overcome the
obstacles of the world, than the strong rays of the sun are to dissipate the mists. We are indeed wont
ever to excuse ourselves, that we derogate nothing from God’s power, whenever we hesitate
respecting his promises, and we commonly say, “The thought, that God promises more in his word
than he can perform, (which would be a falsehood and blasphemy against him,) is by no means the
cause of our hesitation; but that it is the defect which we feel in ourselves.” But we do not sufficiently
exalt the power of God, unless we think it to be greater than our weakness. Faith then ought not to
regard our weakness, misery, and defects, but to fix wholly its attention on the power of God alone;
for if it depends on our righteousness or worthiness, it can never ascend to the consideration of
God’s power. And it is a proof of the unbelief, of which he had before spoken, when we mete the
Lord’s power with our own measure. For faith does not think that God can do all things, while it
leaves him sitting still, but when, on the contrary, it regards his power in continual exercise, and
(^147) “Doubt,” says Pareus, has two arguments — will God do this? and can God do this? Faith has also two arguments — God
will do it, because He has promised; and he can do it, because He is omnipotent.”