Romans 4:17
What does Romans 4:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 4:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 4:17 means
Paul cites the Scripture that God made Abraham “a father of many nations,” and he sets this before the God Abraham believed—the One who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. The promise rests on God’s creative and life-giving power. Abraham’s faith was not wishful thinking; it was confidence in a God who can overcome impossibility. The language hints at resurrection power and new creation. If God can summon realities into existence and revive what is dead, then He can fulfill His word about a worldwide family springing from an aged, childless man.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000(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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611(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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901(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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949(As it is said in the holy Writings, I have made you a father of a number of nations) before him in whom he had faith, that is, God, who gives life to the dead, and to whom the things which are not are as if they were.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who is father of us all (according as it hath been written--`A father of many nations I have set thee,') before Him whom he did believe--God, who is quickening the dead, and is calling the things that be not as being.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752(As it is written: I have made thee a father of many nations), before God, whom he believed: who quickeneth the dead and calleth those things that are not, as those that are.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890(according as it is written, I have made thee father of many nations,) before theGod whom he believed, who quickens the dead, and calls the things which be not as being;
Context
After asserting that the promise is by faith according to grace to all the seed, Paul anchors this in God’s word and nature. Verse 17 quotes the promise and highlights God’s power. This sets the stage for verses 18–21, which portray how Abraham’s faith operated in the face of human impossibility—his age and Sarah’s barrenness. The argument now moves from principle to example of living faith.
v.16For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace; to the end that the promise may 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 is the father of us all
v.17This passage
v.18Who 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 17:4
As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations.
- Romans 9:26
And it shall be, thatin the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, There shall they be called sons of the living God.
- Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
- Romans 3:29
Or is God the God of Jews only? is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yea, of Gentiles also:
- John 5:21
For as the Father raiseth the dead and giveth them life, even so the Son also giveth life to whom he will.
- Isaiah 48:13
Yea, my hand hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spread out the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.
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