Charles Spurgeon Commentary Romans 4:17-18

"(as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were. Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be." — Romans 4:17-18 (ASV)

(As it is written, I have made you a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickens the dead and calls those things which are not as though they were. 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.

He was an old man, with a very aged wife, yet the Lord promised that he should be "the father of many nations." He firmly believed that which was spoken, and in due time it came to pass.