King James Version

What Does Romans 4:17 Mean?

Romans 4:17 in the King James Version says “(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the...” — study this verse from Romans chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“(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 him: or, like unto him”

Romans 4:17 · KJV

Faith

Context

15

Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

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 is the father of us all,

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 him: or, like unto him

18

Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

19

And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:

Read Romans 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Genesis 17:5's 'father of many nations' prove Paul's point about Abraham fathering both Jewish and Gentile believers?
  2. Why does Paul emphasize God's power to give life to the dead and call into existence things that don't exist?
  3. How is Abraham's faith in God's creative and resurrection power a model for saving faith in Christ today?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
καθὼς1 of 23

“(As”

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

γέγραπται2 of 23

“it is written”

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

ὅτι3 of 23
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Πατέρα4 of 23

“a father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

πολλῶν5 of 23

“of many”

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

ἐθνῶν6 of 23

“nations”

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

τέθεικά7 of 23

“I have made”

G5087

to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr

σε8 of 23

“thee”

G4571

thee

κατέναντι9 of 23

“before”

G2713

directly opposite

οὗ10 of 23

“him whom”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐπίστευσεν11 of 23

“he believed”

G4100

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

θεοῦ12 of 23

“even God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

τοῦ13 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ζῳοποιοῦντος14 of 23

“who quickeneth”

G2227

to (re-)vitalize (literally or figuratively)

τοὺς15 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νεκροὺς16 of 23

“the dead”

G3498

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

καὶ17 of 23

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

καλοῦντος18 of 23

“calleth”

G2564

to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)

τὰ19 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μὴ20 of 23

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ὄντα·21 of 23

“they were”

G5607

being

ὡς22 of 23

“as though”

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

ὄντα·23 of 23

“they were”

G5607

being

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 4:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 4:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 1:28Genesis 17:4-5John 5:21Romans 8:29-30John 6:631 Peter 2:10

Test Your Knowledge

Romans 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRomans Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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