as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights God's "calling things that do not exist as though they did" – a powerful reminder that Abraham's status as "father of many nations" wasn't based on his current circumstances, but on God's sovereign decree and creative power. This means our spiritual identity isn't defined by our past or present limitations, but by God's declaration of who we are in Christ.
as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is explaining how Abraham's faith, not his adherence to the Law, made him righteous in God's sight. This promise of being a father to many nations, including Gentiles, was given to Abraham long before the Law, and it highlights God's power to bring life from the seemingly dead and to call into being things that don't yet exist. This demonstrates that the promise is based on God's faithfulness and Abraham's trust in Him, not on human works.
God spoke to Abraham, declaring him 'father of many nations' before it was even physically possible. How does God's Word shape reality?
Paul highlights that God spoke of Abraham as a father of many nations not as a future possibility, but as a present reality. "I have made you..." (Genesis 17:5). This isn't just poetic language; it reveals God's perspective. For God, what is purposed is as good as done. He declares things into existence, speaking of them as if they already are.
This "calling things that do not exist as though they did" is foundational to God's power. It’s how He created the universe out of nothing and how His promises become certain for us. When God makes a promise, He speaks it into being, reflecting His sovereign control and His ability to bring His plans to fruition, regardless of present circumstances.
Abraham's faith wasn't blind optimism. It was focused on a God who has supreme power over life and death.
The verse points to the specific attributes of God that Abraham believed in: He "gives life to the dead." This speaks volumes about the nature of faith and the God we trust.
For Abraham, this meant believing God could bring a child through him and Sarah, even in their old age when natural life had ceased. This power over death and ability to bring life from barrenness is a core aspect of God’s identity.
This is the same God who raised Jesus from the dead. Our faith is not in a set of rules or a distant deity, but in the living God who conquered death itself. This life-giving power is the ultimate basis for the certainty of His promises.
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Understand the original words
kaleō · Greek Verb
The primary attribute of God as the Creator and Sustainer who sovereignly brings reality into being by His word. This reflects His omnipotence and His ability to accomplish what is humanly impossible.
Paul uses the foundational promise made to Abraham centuries earlier – a promise that seemed impossible given Abraham's age and barrenness – to show that faith, not the Law, is the basis for God's blessing. This means salvation is available to everyone, Jew and Gentile alike, just as God promised Abraham he would be a father of many nations.
c. 2000 BC
God's Covenant with Abraham
God establishes a covenant with Abraham, promising him countless descendants and that through him, all nations would be blessed. Abraham is renamed from Abram to Abraham, signifying this promise.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus and the Law
The Israelites are freed from slavery in Egypt and receive the Law at Mount Sinai. This event highlights the importance of the Law in God's relationship with His people.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile
Jerusalem and the Temple are destroyed, and many Israelites are exiled to Babylon. This period raises questions about God's promises and covenant faithfulness.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great allows the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This marks a significant turning point, though many challenges remain.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus Christ is crucified and resurrected, fulfilling prophecies and offering salvation to all who believe.
c. AD 57-59— this verse
Paul Writes Romans
Paul writes his letter to the Romans, likely from Corinth or Ephesus, to explain the gospel and its implications for both Jews and Gentiles.
This is the foundational passage where God directly promises Abraham, 'I have made you the father of many nations.' It directly illustrates the 'calling things that do not exist as though they did' mentioned in Romans 4:17, as God declared this status to Abraham before it was physically apparent.
Genesis 15:5-6This passage shows Abraham's faith being credited as righteousness BEFORE the specific promise of being father of many nations. It highlights that Abraham believed God's word about his future descendants, even when his present circumstances seemed to make it impossible, mirroring the faith in 'God who gives life to the dead.'
Romans 4:19-21These verses directly explain the nature of Abraham's faith, focusing on his refusal to 'consider his own body' or Sarah's barrenness, and his unwavering belief in God's power to fulfill His promises. This illuminates the 'giving life to the dead' aspect by showing Abraham's reliance on God's power over natural impossibilities.
Isaiah 41:4This Old Testament passage uses similar language ('Who is it that has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning?—I, the LORD, the first and with the last; I am He.') to describe God's sovereign power in history, echoing the idea of God 'calling into existence the things that do not exist' through His divine decree and purpose.
Hebrews 11:11-12This passage in the Hall of Faith speaks of Sarah also conceiving through faith, directly linking her barrenness and advanced age to the 'giving life to the dead' theme. It shows how Abraham's faith was not an isolated event but part of a pattern of God's powerful intervention in impossible situations.
henryRomans 4:13-22: "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."
4:13-22 The promise was made to Abraham long before the law. It points at Christ, and it refers to the promise, Ge 12:3. In Thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. The law worketh wrath, by showing that every transgressor is exposed to the Divine displeasure. As God intended to give men a title to the promised blessings…
clarkeRomans 4:17: "(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."
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, Genesis 17:4 , Genesis 17:5 : Behold my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations: neither shall thy name any more be…
The verse highlights God's "calling things that do not exist as though they did" – a powerful reminder that Abraham's status as "father of many nations" wasn't based on his current circumstances, but on God's sovereign decree and creative power. This means our spiritual identity isn't defined by our past or present limitations, but by God's declaration of who we are in Christ.
Paul is explaining how Abraham's faith, not his adherence to the Law, made him righteous in God's sight. This promise of being a father to many nations, including Gentiles, was given to Abraham long before the Law, and it highlights God's power to bring life from the seemingly dead and to call into being things that don't yet exist. This demonstrates that the promise is based on God's faithfulness and Abraham's trust in Him, not on human works.
Paul is explaining how Abraham's faith, not his adherence to the Law, made him righteous in God's sight. This promise of being a father to many nations, including Gentiles, was given to Abraham long before the Law, and it highlights God's power to bring life from the seemingly dead and to call into being things that don't yet exist. This demonstrates that the promise is based on God's faithfulness and Abraham's trust in Him, not on human works.
"as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist." — The verse highlights God's "calling things that do not exist as though they did" – a powerful reminder that Abraham's status as "father of many nations" wasn't based on his current circumstances, but…
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Last reviewed October 2026