Romans 4:17

Romans 4:17

Romans 4:17 quotes Genesis 17:5 and reframes God’s creative power: God “quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.” This Roman argument uses God’s creative acts to illustrate faith’s nature: Abraham believed God when it seemed impossible. The reference to God who “quickeneth the dead” shows that faith trusts in God’s ability to bring life and fulfillment even when circumstances appear dead. The idea of calling things that are not as though they were captures the anticipatory, hope-filled trust that characterizes Abraham’s faith. The broader context is how faith functions before and under the new covenant in Christ; it demonstrates that faith is not a passive belief but a dynamic trust in God’s future fulfillment.

This verse anchors the biblical concept of “faith as confident expectation.” It highlights God’s authority over life and creation, reinforcing that faith is response to God’s reality, not to current appearances. It also clarifies the nature of Abraham’s faith as a pattern for all who believe: belief in God’s promises has real power to shape present experience because God acts in line with what he has promised. The verse contributes to the larger theme of justification by faith and the universality of God’s call to both Jews and Gentiles.

In practice, this invites you to live with hope that transcends present constraints. When your situation looks hopeless—an illness, a failed relationship, a stalled career—reflect on God’s power to resurrect what seems dead. Speak truth about God’s promises into your situation, naming what you hope for as if God’s work is already underway. For communities, this can translate into mission and church renewal efforts that begin with hopeful expectation about what God can do, even when evidence is thin. This verse invites creative, faithful action grounded in God’s character.

Cross-References: Genesis 18:14; Romans 4:18-21; Hebrews 11:11-12; Romans 4:21