Verse 18. Who against hope. Who against all apparent or usual ground of hope. He refers here to the prospect of a posterity. See Ro 4:19-21.

Believed in hope. Believed in that which was promised to excite his hope. Hope here is put for the object of his hope -- that which was promised.

According to that which was spoken. Ge 15:5.

So shall they seed be.. That is, as the stars in heaven for multitude. Thy posterity shall be very numerous.

{w} "So shall thy seed be" Ge 15:5