Romans 4:17

In a conversation yesterday I used a portion of Romans 4:17 - just a portion. The part that talks about calling things into existence. For years I have heard this use of God's Word then last night due to sleeplessness I got up to read for a while. A three letter word at the beginning of this phrase caught my attention. The letters G-O-D.

It is God Who calls things that are not into existence NOT man. It is a misuse of this scripture to apply it to the words spoken by a man.

Thank you Lord for clarity and truth! I repent for misusing Your Word. May I read Your Word with fresh eyes and a open heart. Teach me Your Ways.


Romans 4:17 (New American Standard Bible)

17(as it is written, "A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU" in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

Romans 4:17 (New International Version)

17As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

Cross references:
Romans 4:17 : Gen 17:5
Romans 4:17 : John 5:21
Romans 4:17 : Is 48:13; 51:2
Romans 4:17 : 1 Cor 1:28



Matthew Henry Commentary

Who calleth things which are not as though they were; that is, creates all things by the word of his power, as in the beginning, Gen. 1:3; 2 Co. 4:6. The justification and salvation of sinners, the espousing of the Gentiles that had not been a people, were a gracious calling of things which are not as though they were, giving being to things that were not. This expresses the sovereignty of God and his absolute power and dominion, a mighty stay to faith when all other props sink and totter. It is the holy wisdom and policy of faith to fasten particularly on that in God which is accommodated to the difficulties wherewith it is to wrestle, and will most effectually answer the objections. It is faith indeed to build upon the all-sufficiency of God for the accomplishment of that which is impossible to anything but that all-sufficiency. Thus Abraham became the father of many nations before him whom he believed, that is, in the eye and account of God;