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Romans 4

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

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

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,

(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.

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.

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 Sara's womb:

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

What does Romans 4:17 mean?

Explanation

Romans 4:17 is a verse from the New Testament of the Bible, part of a letter by the Apostle Paul to the Christian community in Rome.

In this verse, Paul is referencing the story of Abraham from the Hebrew Bible (Genesis). He points out that God promised Abraham he would be "a father of many nations" bearing in mind that Abraham was childless at that time and both he and his wife were of advanced age.

The phrase "before him whom he believed" indicates Abraham's faith was directed toward God.

By recognizing God's power to "quickeneth the dead," which means to give life to the dead, and to "calleth those things which be not as though they were,", to create reality from nothing, Paul underscores the omnipotence of God and the power of faith.

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Romans was written around 56-58 AD when Paul was in Corinth.

Paul had not yet visited Rome but intended to support the church there.

The congregation in Rome was made up of both Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus Christ.

They existed in a complex social and religious setting, where the prevailing culture was polytheistic and the Jewish population held strictly to the Law of Moses.

Thus, Paul often had to explain how faith in Christ related to and fulfilled Jewish law and prophecy.

Theological Insights

The verse gives rise to several theological insights:

It speaks to the concept of justification by faith, a key Pauline doctrine; Abraham's righteousness was accounted to him because of his faith in God, and thus becomes an example for Christians.
The power of God shows that nothing is impossible; since God can give life to the dead, He can fulfill any promise made.
The phrase "calleth those things which be not as though they were" illustrates the creative word of God, aligning with the Genesis account where God speaks creation into existence.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied to encourage believers to maintain faith in difficult circumstances.

It suggests:

Trusting in God's promises, even when they seem impossible.
Understanding that God's timing is often different from human timing.
Believing that God can bring about positive outcomes from seemingly hopeless situations.

Cross-References

Genesis 17:5: "Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee."
Hebrews 11:19: "Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure."
Isaiah 55:11: "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

Language Study

"Quickeneth" (ζωοποιέω - zoopoieo): A Greek verb meaning to give life or to cause to live.

This verb confirms God's power to give life to the dead.

"Calleth" (καλέω - kaleo): Another Greek verb used here for 'calling' or 'naming'.

This indicates not just saying a name but actually bringing into existence what is being named.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This verse provides a contrast to ancient myths that often depicted gods with limited powers, or that needed to manipulate existing materials to create.

The biblical narrative suggests that God's power is supreme and unlimited, resonating with the Jewish concept of God as the sovereign creator of everything from nothing (ex nihilo).

Scientific Perspectives

The concept of giving life to the dead, while miraculous and outside the realm of empirical science, speaks allegorically to modern understandings of transformation and the potential for change in life systems.

While science does not support the literal idea of revivification of the physically dead, principles of transformations and actualization from potential align metaphorically with scientific concepts of development and growth.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians comment on Romans 4:17 by focusing on the nature of God's promises and the power of faith.

Many agree that Paul uses Abraham's story to demonstrate the righteousness that comes from faith.

For instance, John Stott emphasizes that Paul sees Abraham's faith as the key to his righteousness.

Cranfield notes that Paul highlights the character of God who can bring into existence things that do not exist, which underscores divine omnipotence and faithfulness.

Romans 4

Romans 4

What does Romans 4:17 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Romans 4:17 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?