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. (Romans 4:18)
In spite of apparently hopeless circumstances, Abraham continued to exercise hope and faith.” “Against hope” refers to the fact that age made the fulfillment of the promise in a natural way impossible. The second “hope” was that inspired by God’s word of promise.
That he might become.
Or, “so that he became.” This may be understood to refer to the result of Abraham’s faith, “and so he became the father of many nations.” Or it may refer to God’s purpose for Abraham, “he believed in order that, according to God’s purpose, he might become the father of many nations,” or to Abraham’s own hope and aspiration that he might become all that was promised. He believed with the full intention of becoming what God had promised, the “father of many nations.”
That which was spoken.
That is, the promise of Gen. 15:5 that Abraham’s seed should be as numerous as the stars.