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.
Original Language Analysis
γέγραπται
it is written
G1125
γέγραπται
it is written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
2 of 23
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
ὅτι
G3754
Πατέρα
a father
G3962
Πατέρα
a father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
4 of 23
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
πολλῶν
of many
G4183
πολλῶν
of many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
5 of 23
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
ἐθνῶν
nations
G1484
ἐθνῶν
nations
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
6 of 23
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
τέθεικά
I have made
G5087
τέθεικά
I have made
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
7 of 23
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
οὗ
him whom
G3739
οὗ
him whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
10 of 23
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐπίστευσεν
he believed
G4100
ἐπίστευσεν
he believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
11 of 23
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
θεοῦ
even God
G2316
θεοῦ
even God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
12 of 23
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ζῳοποιοῦντος
who quickeneth
G2227
ζῳοποιοῦντος
who quickeneth
Strong's:
G2227
Word #:
14 of 23
to (re-)vitalize (literally or figuratively)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καλοῦντος
calleth
G2564
καλοῦντος
calleth
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
18 of 23
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
20 of 23
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:John 5:21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.John 6:63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.1 Peter 2:10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.Romans 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.John 5:25Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.Hebrews 11:12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.Isaiah 55:12For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.Isaiah 48:13Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.Romans 3:29Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
Historical Context
The phrase 'father of many nations' would have been understood messianically in Second Temple Judaism, pointing to God's universal reign. Paul shows its fulfillment in the gospel going to the Gentiles. The characterization of God as life-giving and creative echoes Genesis 1 and anticipates Romans 8's new creation theology. Abraham's faith in God's resurrection power makes him the model for Christian faith in Christ's resurrection.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Genesis 17:5's 'father of many nations' prove Paul's point about Abraham fathering both Jewish and Gentile believers?
- Why does Paul emphasize God's power to give life to the dead and call into existence things that don't exist?
- How is Abraham's faith in God's creative and resurrection power a model for saving faith in Christ today?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
(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. Paul quotes Genesis 17:5, but in its original context, this statement was made after circumcision. Paul's point is that the promise itself defines Abraham's role regardless of circumcision's timing—God declared Abraham father of pollōn ethnōn (πολλῶν ἐθνῶν, "many nations"), not just Israel. The parenthetical nature of this clause suggests the promise's fulfillment is now evident in the multi-ethnic church.
Paul then describes the God Abraham believed: tou zōopoiountos tous nekrous (τοῦ ζωοποιοῦντος τοὺς νεκρούς, "the one giving life to the dead") and kalountos ta mē onta hōs onta (καλοῦντος τὰ μὴ ὄντα ὡς ὄντα, "calling the things not being as being"). God's creative power is twofold: resurrection life and creatio ex nihilo. Abraham's faith was in God's ability to create Isaac from his deadness and Sarah's barrenness, and ultimately to raise the dead. This same resurrection power justifies sinners (v. 24-25), making this description programmatic.