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Selected Verse: Romans 4:17 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ro 4:17	Strong Concordance	(As [2531] it is written [1125], [3754] I have made [5087] thee [4571] a father [3962] of many [4183] nations [1484],) before [2713] him whom [3739] he believed [4100], even God [2316], who quickeneth [2227] the dead [3498], and [2532] calleth [2564] those things which be [5607] not [3361] as though [5613] they were [5607].
	King James	(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.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
As it is written, &c.-- (Gen 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 here strikingly described. What he was required to believe being above nature, his faith had to fasten upon God's power to surmount physical incapacity, and call into being what did not then exist. But God having made the promise, Abraham believed Him in spite of those obstacles. This is still further illustrated in what follows.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

As it is written, &c.-- (Gen 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 here strikingly described. What he was required to believe being above nature, his faith had to fasten upon God's power to surmount physical incapacity, and call into being what did not then exist. But God having made the promise, Abraham believed Him in spite of those obstacles. This is still further illustrated in what follows.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
As it is written - Gen 17:5. I have made thee - The word used here in the Hebrew Gen 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 do. The sense is, he had, in his mind or purpose, constituted him the father of many nations; and so certain was the fulfillment of the divine purposes, that he spoke of it as already accomplished. Of many nations - The apostle evidently understands this promise as referring, not to his natural descendants only, but to the great multitude who should believe as he did. Before him - In his view, or sight; that is, God regarded him as such a father. Whom he believed - Whose promise he believed; or in whom he trusted. Who quickeneth the dead - Who gives life to the dead, Eph 2:1, Eph 2:5. This expresses the power of God to give life. But why it is used here has been a subject of debate. I regard it as having reference to the strong natural improbability of the fulfillment of the prophecy when it was given, arising from the age of Abraham and Sarah, Rom 4:19. Abraham exercised power in the God who gives life, and who gives it as he pleases. It is one of his prerogatives to give life to the dead (νεκρους nekrous), to raise up those who are in their graves; and a power similar to that, or strongly reminding of that, was manifested in fulfilling the promise to Abraham. The giving of this promise, and its fulfillment, were such as strongly to remind us that God has power to give life to the dead. And calleth ... - That is, those things which he foretels and promises are so certain, that he may speak of them as already in existence. Thus, in relation to Abraham, God, instead of simply promising that he would make him the father of many nations, speaks of it as already done, "I have made thee," etc. In his own mind, or purpose, he had so constituted him, and it was so certain that it would take place, that he might speak of it as already done.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
A father of many nations See Gen 17:5. Originally his name was Abram, exalted father; afterward Abraham, father of a multitude. Have I made (τέθεικα) Appointed or constituted. For a similar sense see Mat 24:51; Joh 15:16, and note; Act 13:47; Ti1 2:7. The verb shows that the paternity was the result of a special arrangement. It would not be used to denote the mere physical connection between father and son. Who quickeneth the dead This attribute of God is selected with special reference to the circumstances of Abraham as described in Rom 4:18, Rom 4:21. As a formal attribute of God it occurs Sa1 2:6; Joh 5:21; Co2 1:9; Ti1 6:13. Calleth (καλοῦντος) The verb is used in the following senses: 1. To give a name, with ὄνομα name, Mat 1:21, Mat 1:22, Mat 1:25; Luk 1:13, Luk 1:31; without ὄνομα Luk 1:59, Luk 1:60. To salute by a name, Mat 23:9; Mat 22:43, Mat 22:45. 2. Passive. To bear a name or title among men, Luk 1:35; Luk 22:25; Co1 15:9. To be acknowledged or to pass as, Mat 5:9, Mat 5:19; Jam 2:23. 3. To invite, Mat 22:3, Mat 22:9; Joh 2:2; Co1 10:27. To summon, Mat 4:21; Act 4:18; Act 24:2. To call out from, Mat 2:15; Heb 11:8; Pe1 2:9. 4. To appoint. Select for an office, Gal 1:15; Heb 5:4; to salvation, Rom 9:11; Rom 8:30. 5. Of God's creative decree. To call forth from nothing, Isa 41:4; Kg2 8:1. In this last sense some explain the word here; but it can scarcely be said that God creates things that are not as actually existing. Others explain, God's disposing decree. He disposes of things that are not as though existing. The simplest explanation appears to be to give καλεῖν the sense of nameth, speaketh of. Compare Rom 9:7; Act 7:5. The seed of Abraham "which were at present in the category of things which were not, and the nations which should spring physically or spiritually from him, God spoke of as having an existence, which word Abraham believed" (Alford). In this case there may properly be added the idea of the summons to the high destiny ordained for Abraham's seed.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Before God - Though before men nothing of this appeared, those nations being then unborn. As quickening the dead - The dead are not dead to him and even the things that are not, are before God. And calling the things that are not - Summoning them to rise into being, and appear before him. The seed of Abraham did not then exist; yet God said, "So shall thy seed be." A man can say to his servant actually existing, Do this; and he doeth it: but God saith to the light, while it does not exist, Go forth; and it goeth. Gen 17:5.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
As it is written, I have made thee a father - That Abraham's being a father of many nations has relation to the covenant of God made with him, may be seen, Gen 17:4, Gen 17:5 : 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 thee, i.e. he was constituted the head of many nations, the Gentile world, by virtue of the covenant, which God made then with him. God, who quickeneth the dead, etc. - God is the most proper object of trust and dependence; for being almighty, eternal, and unchangeable, he can even raise the dead to life, and call those things which be not as though they were. He is the Creator, he gave being when there was none; he can as infallibly assure the existence of those things which are not, as if they were already actually in being. And, on this account, he can never fail of accomplishing whatsoever he has promised.

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⁵ Neither shall thy name [08034] any more be called [07121] Abram [087], but thy name [08034] shall be Abraham [085]; for a father [01] of many [01995] nations [01471] have I made thee [05414].

¹⁹ And [2532] being not [3361] weak [770] in faith [4102], he considered [2657] not [3756] his own [1438] body [4983] now [2235] dead [3499], when he was [5225] about [4225] an hundred years old [1541], neither yet [2532] the deadness [3500] of Sara's [4564] womb [3388]:

⁵ Even [2532] when we [2248] were [5607] dead [3498] in sins [3900], hath quickened us together with [4806] Christ [5547], (by grace [5485] ye are [2075] saved [4982]

¹ And [2532] you [5209] hath he quickened, who were [5607] dead [3498] in trespasses [3900] and [2532] sins [266];

⁵ Neither shall thy name [08034] any more be called [07121] Abram [087], but thy name [08034] shall be Abraham [085]; for a father [01] of many [01995] nations [01471] have I made thee [05414].

⁵ And [2532] he gave [1325] him [846] none [3756] inheritance [2817] in [1722] it [846], no, not [3761] so much as to set [968] his foot [4228] on [968]: yet [2532] he promised [1861] that he would give [1325] it [846] to him [846] for [1519] a possession [2697], and [2532] to his [846] seed [4690] after [3326] him [846], when as yet he [846] had [5607] no [3756] child [5043].

⁷ Neither [3761], because [3754] they are [1526] the seed [4690] of Abraham [11], are they all [3956] children [5043]: but [235], In [1722] Isaac [2464] shall [2564] thy [4671] seed [4690] be called [2564].

¹ Then spake [01696] Elisha [0477] unto the woman [0802], whose son [01121] he had restored to life [02421], saying [0559], Arise [06965], and go [03212] thou and thine household [01004], and sojourn [01481] wheresoever [0834] thou canst sojourn [01481]: for the LORD [03068] hath called [07121] for a famine [07458]; and it shall also come [0935] upon the land [0776] seven [07651] years [08141].

⁴ Who hath wrought [06466] and done [06213] it, calling [07121] the generations [01755] from the beginning [07218]? I the LORD [03068], the first [07223], and with the last [0314]; I am he.

³⁰ Moreover [1161] whom [3739] he did predestinate [4309], them [5128] he [2564] also [2532] called [2564]: and [2532] whom [3739] he called [2564], them [5128] he [1344] also [2532] justified [1344]: and [1161] whom [3739] he justified [1344], them [5128] he [1392] also [2532] glorified [1392].

¹¹ (For [1063] the children being [1080] not yet [3380] born [1080], neither [3366] having done [4238] any [5100] good [18] or [2228] evil [2556], that [2443] the purpose [4286] of God [2316] according [2596] to election [1589] might stand [3306], not [3756] of [1537] works [2041], but [235] of [1537] him that calleth [2564]

⁴ And [2532] no [3756] man [5100] taketh [2983] this honour [5092] unto himself [1438], but [235] he that is called [2564] of [5259] God [2316], as [2509] [2532] was Aaron [2].

¹⁵ But [1161] when [3753] it pleased [2106] God [2316], who [3588] separated [873] me [3165] from [1537] my [3450] mother's [3384] womb [2836], and [2532] called [2564] me by [1223] his [846] grace [5485],

⁹ But [1161] ye [5210] are a chosen [1588] generation [1085], a royal [934] priesthood [2406], an holy [40] nation [1484], a peculiar [1519] [4047] people [2992]; that [3704] ye should shew forth [1804] the praises [703] of him who hath called [2564] you [5209] out of [1537] darkness [4655] into [1519] his [846] marvellous [2298] light [5457]:

⁸ By faith [4102] Abraham [11], when he was called [2564] to go out [1831] into [1519] a place [5117] which [3739] he should after [3195] receive [2983] for [1519] an inheritance [2817], obeyed [5219]; and [2532] he went out [1831], not [3361] knowing [1987] whither [4226] he went [2064].

¹⁵ And [2532] was [2258] there [1563] until [2193] the death [5054] of Herod [2264]: that [2443] it might be fulfilled [4137] which [3588] was spoken [4483] of [5259] the Lord [2962] by [1223] the prophet [4396], saying [3004], Out of [1537] Egypt [125] have I called [2564] my [3450] son [5207].

² And [1161] when he [846] was called forth [2564], Tertullus [5061] began [756] to accuse [2723] him, saying [3004], Seeing that by [1223] thee [4675] we enjoy [5177] great [4183] quietness [1515], and [2532] that very worthy deeds [2735] are done [1096] unto this [5129] nation [1484] by [1223] thy [4674] providence [4307],

¹⁸ And [2532] they called [2564] them [846], and commanded [3853] them [846] not [3361] to speak [5350] at all [2527] nor [3366] teach [1321] in [1909] the name [3686] of Jesus [2424].

²¹ And [2532] going on [4260] from thence [1564], he saw [1492] other [243] two [1417] brethren [80], James [2385] the son of [3588] Zebedee [2199], and [2532] John [2491] his [846] brother [80], in [1722] a ship [4143] with [3326] Zebedee [2199] their [846] father [3962], mending [2675] their [846] nets [1350]; and [2532] he called [2564] them [846].

²⁷ [1161] If any [1536] of them that believe not [571] bid [2564] you [5209] to a feast, and [2532] ye be disposed [2309] to go [4198]; whatsoever [3956] is set before [3908] you [5213], eat [2068], asking [350] no [3367] question [350] for [1223] conscience [4893] sake [1223].

² And [1161] both [2532] Jesus [2424] was called [2564], and [2532] his [846] disciples [3101], to [1519] the marriage [1062].

⁹ Go ye [4198] therefore [3767] into [1909] the highways [1327] [3598], and [2532] as many as [3745] [302] ye shall find [2147], bid [2564] to [1519] the marriage [1062].

³ And [2532] sent forth [649] his [846] servants [1401] to call [2564] them that were bidden [2564] to [1519] the wedding [1062]: and [2532] they would [2309] not [3756] come [2064].

²³ And [2532] the scripture [1124] was fulfilled [4137] which saith [3004], [1161] Abraham [11] believed [4100] God [2316], and [2532] it was imputed [3049] unto him [846] for [1519] righteousness [1343]: and [2532] he was called [2564] the Friend [5384] of God [2316].

¹⁹ Whosoever [3739] [1437] therefore [3767] shall break [3089] one [3391] of these [5130] least [1646] commandments [1785], and [2532] shall teach [1321] men [444] so [3779], he shall be called [2564] the least [1646] in [1722] the kingdom [932] of heaven [3772]: but [1161] whosoever [3739] [302] shall do [4160] and [2532] teach [1321] them, the same [3778] shall be called [2564] great [3173] in [1722] the kingdom [932] of heaven [3772].

⁹ Blessed [3107] are the peacemakers [1518]: for [3754] they [846] shall be called [2564] the children [5207] of God [2316].

⁹ For [1063] I [1473] am [1510] the least [1646] of the apostles [652], that [3739] am [1510] not [3756] meet [2425] to be called [2564] an apostle [652], because [1360] I persecuted [1377] the church [1577] of God [2316].

²⁵ And [1161] he said [2036] unto them [846], The kings [935] of the Gentiles [1484] exercise lordship over [2961] them [846]; and [2532] they that exercise authority upon [1850] them [846] are called [2564] benefactors [2110].

³⁵ And [2532] the angel [32] answered [611] and said [2036] unto her [846], The Holy [40] Ghost [4151] shall come [1904] upon [1909] thee [4571], and [2532] the power [1411] of the Highest [5310] shall overshadow [1982] thee [4671]: therefore [1352] also [2532] that holy thing [40] which shall be born [1080] of [1537] thee [4675] shall be called [2564] the Son [5207] of God [2316].

⁴⁵ If [1487] David [1138] then [3767] call [2564] him [846] Lord [2962], how [4459] is he [2076] his [846] son [5207]?

⁴³ He saith [3004] unto them [846], How [4459] then [3767] doth David [1138] in [1722] spirit [4151] call [2564] him [846] Lord [2962], saying [3004],

⁹ And [2532] call [2564] no [3361] man your [5216] father [3962] upon [1909] the earth [1093]: for [1063] one [1520] is [2076] your [5216] Father [3962], which [3588] is in [1722] heaven [3772].

⁶⁰ And [2532] his [846] mother [3384] answered [611] and said [2036], Not [3780] so; but [235] he shall be called [2564] John [2491].

⁵⁹ And [2532] it came to pass [1096], that on [1722] the eighth [3590] day [2250] they came [2064] to circumcise [4059] the child [3813]; and [2532] they called [2564] him [846] Zacharias [2197], after [1909] the name [3686] of his [846] father [3962].

³¹ And [2532], behold [2400], thou shalt conceive [4815] in [1722] thy womb [1064], and [2532] bring forth [5088] a son [5207], and [2532] shalt call [2564] his [846] name [3686] JESUS [2424].

¹³ But [1161] the angel [32] said [2036] unto [4314] him [846], Fear [5399] not [3361], Zacharias [2197]: for [1360] thy [4675] prayer [1162] is heard [1522]; and [2532] thy [4675] wife [1135] Elisabeth [1665] shall bear [1080] thee [4671] a son [5207], and [2532] thou shalt call [2564] his [846] name [3686] John [2491].

²⁵ And [2532] knew [1097] her [846] not [3756] till [2193] [3739] she had brought forth [5088] her [846] firstborn [4416] son [5207]: and [2532] he called [2564] his [846] name [3686] JESUS [2424].

²² Now [1161] all [3650] this [5124] was done [1096], that [2443] it might be fulfilled [4137] which [3588] was spoken [4483] of [5259] the Lord [2962] by [1223] the prophet [4396], saying [3004],

²¹ And [1161] she shall bring forth [5088] a son [5207], and [2532] thou shalt call [2564] his [846] name [3686] JESUS [2424]: for [1063] he [846] shall save [4982] his [846] people [2992] from [575] their [846] sins [266].

¹³ I give [3853] thee [4671] charge [3853] in the sight [1799] of God [2316], who [3588] quickeneth [2227] all things [3956], and [2532] before Christ [5547] Jesus [2424], who [3588] before [1909] Pontius [4194] Pilate [4091] witnessed [3140] a good [2570] confession [3671];

⁹ But [235] [846] we had [2192] the sentence [610] of death [2288] in [1722] ourselves [1438], that [3363] we should [3982] not [3363] trust [3982] in [1909] ourselves [1438] [5600], but [235] in [1909] God [2316] which [3588] raiseth [1453] the dead [3498]:

²¹ For [1063] as [5618] the Father [3962] raiseth up [1453] the dead [3498], and [2532] quickeneth [2227] them; even [2532] so [3779] the Son [5207] quickeneth [2227] whom [3739] he will [2309].

⁶ The LORD [03068] killeth [04191], and maketh alive [02421]: he bringeth down [03381] to the grave [07585], and bringeth up [05927].

²¹ And [2532] being fully persuaded [4135] that [3754], what [3739] he had promised [1861], he was [2076] able [1415] also [2532] to perform [4160].

¹⁸ Who [3739] against [3844] hope [1680] believed [4100] in [1909] hope [1680], that [1519] he [846] might become [1096] the father [3962] of many [4183] nations [1484], according [2596] to that which was spoken [2046], So [3779] shall [2071] thy [4675] seed [4690] be [2071].

⁷ Whereunto [1519] [3739] I [1473] am ordained [5087] a preacher [2783], and [2532] an apostle [652], (I speak [3004] the truth [225] in [1722] Christ [5547], and lie [5574] not [3756];) a teacher [1320] of the Gentiles [1484] in [1722] faith [4102] and [2532] verity [225].

⁴⁷ For [1063] so [3779] hath [1781] the Lord [2962] commanded [1781] us [2254], saying, I have set [5087] thee [4571] to be [1519] a light [5457] of the Gentiles [1484], that thou [4571] shouldest be [1511] for [1519] salvation [4991] unto [2193] the ends [2078] of the earth [1093].

¹⁶ Ye [5210] have [1586] not [3756] chosen [1586] me [3165], but [235] I [1473] have chosen [1586] you [5209], and [2532] ordained [5087] you [5209], that [2443] ye [5210] should go [5217] and [2532] bring forth [5342] fruit [2590], and [2532] that your [5216] fruit [2590] should remain [3306]: that [2443] whatsoever [3739] [302] [3748] ye shall ask [154] of the Father [3962] in [1722] my [3450] name [3686], he may give it [1325] you [5213].

⁵¹ And [2532] shall cut [1371] him [846] asunder [1371], and [2532] appoint [5087] him his [846] portion [3313] with [3326] the hypocrites [5273]: there [1563] shall be [2071] weeping [2805] and [2532] gnashing [1030] of teeth [3599].

⁵ Neither shall thy name [08034] any more be called [07121] Abram [087], but thy name [08034] shall be Abraham [085]; for a father [01] of many [01995] nations [01471] have I made thee [05414].

⁴ As for me [0589], behold, my covenant [01285] is with thee, and thou shalt be a father [01] of many [01995] nations [01471].