Romans 4:17 NASB

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 4:16-17

Therefore it is of faith, that it may be according to grace ( κατὰ χάριν , as in Romans 4:4 ); to the end 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 all, (as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee,) before him whom he believed, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth the things that are not as though they were. , Romans 4:16 introduces no new thought, being but... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:17

As it is written - Genesis 17:5.I have made thee - The word used here in the Hebrew Genesis 17:5 means literally, to give, to grant; and also, to set, or constitute. This is also the meaning of the Greek word used both by the Septuagint and the apostle. The quotation is taken literally from the Septuagint. 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... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Romans 4:1-25

Some examples (4:1-25)To illustrate what he has just been teaching, Paul refers to the example of Abraham. Abraham was justified because of his faith, not because of any good deeds that he did (4:1-3). (To understand the illustrations concerning Abraham that follow, read Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 15:1-6; Genesis 16:1-16; Genesis 17:15-22; Genesis 18:1-15; Genesis 21:1-21.)Righteousness is a gift received by faith, not payment for work that a person does (4-5). David, as well as Abraham, knew that... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Romans 4:17

written . Genesis 17:5 . made = set, appointed. Greek. tithemi. believed . App-150 . quickeneth = maketh alive. Greek. zoopoieo. Here, 1 John 5:21; 1 John 5:21 ; John 6:63 . 1Co 15:22 , 1 Corinthians 15:36 , 1 Corinthians 15:45 ; 2 Corinthians 3:6 . Galatians 1:3 , Gal 1:21 . 1 Timothy 6:13 . 1 Timothy 6:1 Pet. the dead . App-139 . calleth, &c . Primarily of Isaac. Compare Genesis 15:0 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 4:17

(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.Upon the occasion of God's making the land covenant, sealed by circumcision, with Abraham, God made mention of another covenant previously made with Abraham, and used the past tense to show that the previous covenant had nothing to do with the covenant of land and circumcision about to be made. Paul's... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 4:17

Romans 4:17. As it is written, &c.— That Abraham's being the father of many nations, has relation to the covenant that God made with him, may be seen Genesis 17:4-5. Behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations: neither shall thy name any more be called Abram; but thy name shall be Abraham: for a father of many nations have I made or constituted thee, by virtue of my covenant with thee. Dr. Doddridge, instead of, before him whom he believed, even God, reads,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 4:17

17. As it is written, &c.— (Genesis 17:5). This is quoted to justify his calling Abraham the "father of us all," and is to be viewed as a parenthesis. before—that is, "in the reckoning of." 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." even God, quickeneth the dead—The nature and greatness of that faith of Abraham which we are to copy is... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:13-17

4. The priority of faith to the promise concerning headship of many nations 4:13-17The Jews believed that they had a claim on Abraham that Gentiles did not have. Obviously he was the father of their nation, and this did place him in a unique relationship to his physical descendants. However, they incorrectly concluded that all the blessings that God had promised Abraham would come to them alone. Paul reminded his readers that part of God’s promised blessing to Abraham was that he would be the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 4:17

Paul described God as he did here in harmony with the promise he cited. God gave the ability to father many nations to Abraham when his reproductive powers were dead. God summoned yet uncreated nations as He had summoned the yet uncreated cosmos, namely, with a word, in this case a promise (cf. Hebrews 11:3; 2 Peter 3:5). [Note: Cranfield, 1:246.] Another view is that God named or addressed these uncreated nations even though they did not yet exist. The interpretation hinges on the meaning of... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Romans 4:17

4:17 written, (c-5) See Genesis 17:5 read more