Romans 4:17 “ (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.” King James Version (KJV) 5. To salute by a name, Matthew 23:9; Matthew 22:43, Matthew 22:45. Even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were; Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. Romans 4. only, since they cannot be called "many nations", but of the A ... (Rom 4:17-18) The life-giving power of the God Abraham believed in. Passive. Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. This expresses the power of God to give life. regeneration, God calls and brings that into being which before Romans 4:17. Romans 4:17, NLT: "That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, 'I have made you the father of many nations.' Paul uses the example of the patriarch Abraham to show how our relationship with God is based on faith and not the works of the Law. Bible Language English. man sees; in his account, he was the father of many nations, long Genesis Romans 4:17 I know I said I was going to post some more about the book, "Starving Jesus", and I will, but for now I want to share just a little about what I just read in Romans. Romans 4:17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. him whom he believed—that is, "Thus Abraham, in the reckoning of Him whom he believed, is the father of us all, in order that all may be assured, that doing as he did, they shall be treated as he was.". It is one of his prerogatives to give life to the dead (νεκρους nekrous), to raise up those who are in their graves; and a power similar to that, or strongly reminding of that, was manifested in fulfilling the promise to Abraham. Version. there is some little likeness and resemblance in this between children, and he called them so, and by his grace made them so, In the resurrection of Jesus Christ, God enacted such a divine characterization. Salem Media Group. of all things out of nothing; and it is a Rabbinical one, for so Who quickeneth.—“Who gives life to that which is dead, and issues His fiat to that which is not as though it were.” The words have reference, in the first instance, to the dealings of God with Abraham, described in the verses that follow—(1) to the overruling of the laws of nature indicated in Romans 4:19; (2) to the declaration, “So shall thy seed be.” There is, however, also an undercurrent of reference to the calling of the Gentiles: “I will call them My people which were not My people, and her beloved which was not beloved.”. I was reading this verse in Romans, when the Holy Spirit used it to hit me upside the head with the force of baseball bat being swung by Babe Ruth! We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. The simplest explanation appears to be to give καλεῖν the sense of nameth, speaketh of. What does this verse really mean? Appointed or constituted. nations, so was Abraham, though not in such a sense as he is; and &c.] The passage referred to, is in ( Genesis 17:4 The God in whom Abraham trusted is a God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things which do not exist. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.”. (16) This fatherhood is spiritual, depending only upon the power of God, who made the promise. Romans 4 explores the example of Abraham, and God's amazing gift of declaring Abraham righteous solely on the basis of his faith. To be acknowledged or to pass as, Matthew 5:9, Matthew 5:19; James 2:23. offspring, before they were; and when he comes effectually to God's Word is full of promises for us. To begin our study, we will read Romans 4:17 in context: “[16] Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who … so he called Abraham the father of many nations, when he was not Of many nations - The apostle evidently understands this promise as referring, not to his natural descendants only, but to the great multitude who should believe as he did. To summon, Matthew 4:21; Acts 4:18; Acts 24:2. nations, 3. meaning either the dead body of Abraham and Sarah's womb; or Last week we looked at some guiding principles for believing the promises of God. 2 Therefore you have f no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. in fact, as if he really was; and the Gentiles his seed and Gentiles also; and which must be understood in a spiritual sense, This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing." Others explain, God's disposing decree. Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Greek Scripture. Romans 4 – Abraham and David Demonstrate Righteousness Apart from Works A. Abraham is declared righteous through faith. were; In this last sense some explain the word here; but it can scarcely be said that God creates things that are not as actually existing. The object of his faith is described as he, who quickeneth the dead: meaning either the dead body of Abraham and Sarah's womb; or Isaac, who was given up for dead; or the Gentiles, who were dead in trespasses and sins; or rather the dead bodies of men at the last day, a work which none but the almighty God can effect; the consideration of which is sufficient to engage faith in the promises of God, and a dependence on him for the fulfilment or them: and who stands further described as he, who. Who quickeneth the dead - Who gives life to the dead, Ephesians 2:1, Ephesians 2:5. In this case there may properly be added the idea of the summons to the high destiny ordained for Abraham's seed. father of many nations by carnal generation in the sight of men, but by spiritual cognation in the sight of God. them, though not sameness. To appoint. Romans 4:18-21. Read verse in New International Version Cancel. Romans 4:17 Context. It would not be used to denote the mere physical connection between father and son. The object of his faith is described Verse Comparison: Romans 4:17. This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who brings into existence what didn’t exist before. 1. call them by his grace, they are represented as "things which are promises of God, and a dependence on him for the fulfilment or 2. For g in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. He is our father in God's sight, in whom Abraham believed--the God who gives … Or, as it may be read, like unto God, after his example; and then the meaning is, that God so honoured Abraham’s faith, that he made him a father, in some respects like himself. Corinthians 1:28 ) ; they were not his people, nor his before him whom he believed, even God; that is, he was so, either in the sight of God, who sees not as man sees; in his account, he was the father of many nations, long before he really in fact was; or "over against" or "like unto him", as the word may signify: as God was the Father of many nations, so was Abraham, though not in such a sense as he is; and as God is the Father of us all that believe, so was Abraham; there is some little likeness and resemblance in this between them, though not sameness. Footnotes: Romans 4:17Gen. Romans 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. before he really in fact was; or "over against" or "like unto The verb shows that the paternity was the result of a special arrangement. What he was required to believe being above nature, his faith had to fasten upon God's power to surmount physical incapacity, and call into being what did not then exist. Proud member that is, he was so, either in the sight of God, who sees not as CAN YOU EXPLAIN ROMANS 4:17—“[GOD] CALLETH THOSE THINGS WHICH BE NOT AS THOUGH THEY WERE?” by Shawn Brasseaux. Of God's creative decree. This declaration was given many years before Abraham was circumcised, causing Abraham to become the father of all who believe God by faith. them: and who stands further described as he, who, calleth those things which be not, as though they not", whom he called, "to bring to nought things that are", ( To call forth from nothing, Isaiah 41:4; 2 Kings 8:1. As a formal attribute of God it occurs 1 Samuel 2:6; John 5:21; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Timothy 6:13. 1 17:5. This shows the English words related to the source biblical texts along with brief definitions. All rights reserved. for Abraham was the father of them. (s) R. Solomon ben Gabirol in Cether Malcuth apud L. Capell. Romans 4:17 German Bible Alphabetical: as a and are As being believed calls dead does even exist father gives God have He Him I in into is it life made many nations not of our presence sight that the they things though to were which who whom written you you Select for an office, Galatians 1:15; Hebrews 5:4; to salvation, Romans 9:11; Romans 8:30. Romans 4:17-21, “As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed-the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. The verb is used in the following senses: 1. I have made thee - The word used here in the Hebrew Gen 17:5 means literally, to give, to grant; and also, to set, or constitute. Our study this week is on "How to become a promises believer". and made them appear to be so; for as in creation so in Romans 4 Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, as set of 17 volumes on the New Testament, the result of Barclay's dedicated work This is still further illustrated in what follows. Thus, in relation to Abraham, God, instead of simply promising that he would make him the father of many nations, speaks of it as already done, "I have made thee," etc. last day, a work which none but the almighty God can effect; the Romans 4:17 NKJV (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did. This is not something to take lightly as its another gospel, which is no gospel at all. Romans 4:17 NLT That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. Abraham exercised power in the God who gives life, and who gives it as he pleases. What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? Abraham's continued faith in God is a model for us. The sense is, he had, in his mind or purpose, constituted him the father of many nations; and so certain was the fulfillment of the divine purposes, that he spoke of it as already accomplished. He is our father in the presence of God whom he believed – the God who makes the dead alive and summons the things that do not yet exist as though they already do. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Answer: The context of Romans 4 is salvation by faith. As can be seen from the context of Romans 4:17, the WoF Movement completely distorts the true meaning of Scripture. This is also the meaning of the Greek word used both by the Septuagint and the apostle. Originally his name was Abram, exalted father; afterward Abraham, father of a multitude. (As it is written, I have made you a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who vivifies the dead, and calls those things which be not as though they were. Romans 1:16(KJV) Verse Thoughts Paul, the servant of Christ Jesus, who was called and set apart to proclaim the gospel of God to Jew and gentile alike, was not ashamed to take the good news of the lowly carpenter, Who died for the sin of the world and rose again the third day - to the sophisticated capital of the Roman empire. Isaac, who was given up for dead; or the Gentiles, who were dead Romans 4:17(NLT) Verse Thoughts Abraham is often referred to as the father of faith, because the Lord used His trust in God's promises as the foundational example of a man who is credited with the righteousness of Christ - by grace, through faith. as he, who quickeneth the dead: It is a positive good, meaning that God does not only declare us innocent, but righteous. The NET Bible renders Romans 4:17 this way: (as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”). NKJV: New King James Version . Copyright © 2020, Bible Study Tools. even God, quickeneth the dead—The nature and greatness of that faith of Abraham which we are to copy is here strikingly described. (m) Before God, that is by membership in his spiritual family, which has a place before God, and makes us acceptable to God. Romans 4:17 New King James Version (NKJV). 4. God’s Righteous Judgment. To invite, Matthew 22:3, Matthew 22:9; John 2:2; 1 Corinthians 10:27. But it is like the man who owns a goldmine. Romans 4:17New International Version (NIV) 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[a]He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives lifeto the dead and callsinto being things that were not. Romans 4:17, CSB: "As it is written: I have made you the father of many nations. in trespasses and sins; or rather the dead bodies of men at the Compare Romans 9:7; Acts 7:5. It contains many false doctrines. To give a name, with ὄνομα name, Matthew 1:21, Matthew 1:22, Matthew 1:25; Luke 1:13, Luke 1:31; without ὄνομα Luke 1:59, Luke 1:60. 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; I was even asked in a job interview in front of a several of people how many children we had. But God having made the promise, Abraham believed Him in spite of those obstacles. Romans 4:17 (As it is written, I have made you a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who vivifies the dead, and calls those things which be not as though they were. He can't enjoy the benefits of … Romans 4:17 states, “As it is written: ‘I have made you a father of many nations.’ [Abraham] is our … As it is written I have made thee a father of many nations, &c.] The passage referred to, is in ( Genesis 17:4 Genesis 17:5 ) ; which proves him to be a father not of the Jews only, since they cannot be called "many nations", but of the Gentiles also; and which must be understood in a spiritual sense, for Abraham was the father of them, consideration of which is sufficient to engage faith in the Before him - In his view, or sight; that is, God regarded him as such a father. To bear a name or title among men, Luke 1:35; Luke 22:25; 1 Corinthians 15:9. The giving of this promise, and its fulfillment, were such as strongly to remind us that God has power to give life to the dead. Romans 4:17 Translation & Meaning. He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed-the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were" (Romans 4:17) For 17 years my husband and I were childless—a reality we could not escape. The justification and salvation of sinners, the taking to himself the Gentiles who had not been a people, were a gracious calling of things which are not, as though they were; and this giving a being to things that were not, proves the almighty power of God. The seed of Abraham "which were at present in the category of things which were not, and the nations which should spring physically or spiritually from him, God spoke of as having an existence, which word Abraham believed" (Alford). The quotation is taken literally from the Septuagint. Question: "What is meant by ‘call those things which are not as though they were’ (Romans 4:17)?" California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He disposes of things that are not as though existing. In his own mind, or purpose, he had so constituted him, and it was so certain that it would take place, that he might speak of it as already done. As it is written I have made thee a father of many ... That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, "I have made you the father of many nations." See Genesis 17:5. In 4:17 Paul presents a characterization of God which he directly connects to our own lives in 4:23-25. 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; Paul supported his argument of verse 16 with verse 17, using a citation from Genesis. calleth those things which be not, as though they were; so he called Abraham the father of many nations, when he was not in fact, as if he really was; and the Gentiles his seed and offspring, before they were; and when he comes effectually to call them by his grace, they are represented as "things which are not", whom he called, "to bring to nought things that are", 1 Corinthians 1:28; they were not his people, nor his children, and he called them so, and by his grace made them so, and made them appear to be so; for as in creation so in regeneration, God calls and brings that into being which before was not: and the phrase seems to be an allusion to the creation of all things out of nothing; and it is a Rabbinical one, for so the Jews speaking of the creation say (s). of Romans 4:17-21 NLT - That is what the Scriptures mean when - Bible Gateway. Browse Sermons on Romans 4:17. 17:5 ) ; which proves him to be a father not of the Jews The Word of Faith Moment is a cult. (o) With whom those things are already, which as yet are not indeed, as he can with a word make what he wishes out of nothing. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. This attribute of God is selected with special reference to the circumstances of Abraham as described in Romans 4:18, Romans 4:21. And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (1-3) Abraham was not justified by works, but declared righteous through faith. The argument of the apostle is founded in part on the fact that the past tense is used - I have made thee - and that God spoke of a thing as already done, which he had promised or purposed to do. in loc. Whom he believed - Whose promise he believed; or in whom he trusted. was not: and the phrase seems to be an allusion to the creation The nature and power of Abraham's faith are shown. 2. And calleth ... - That is, those things which he foretels and promises are so certain, that he may speak of them as already in existence. as God is the Father of us all that believe, so was Abraham; For a similar sense see Matthew 24:51; John 15:16, and note; Acts 13:47; 1 Timothy 2:7. Run from such teaching that is contained the WoF Movement. Cross references: I regard it as having reference to the strong natural improbability of the fulfillment of the prophecy when it was given, arising from the age of Abraham and Sarah, Romans 4:19. him", as the word may signify: as God was the Father of many But why it is used here has been a subject of debate. before him whom he believed, [even] God; To call out from, Matthew 2:15; Hebrews 11:8; 1 Peter 2:9. Romans 4:16 : Romans 4:18 >> American Standard Version (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. This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new ... That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.”. Find Top Church Sermons, Illustrations, and Preaching Slides on Romans 4:17. 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He pleases brief definitions something to take lightly as its another gospel, which is not '', and is!