Albert Barnes Commentary 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." — Romans 4:17 (ASV)

As it is written (Genesis 17:5).

I have made you. The word used here in the Hebrew (Genesis 17:5) literally means to give, to grant, and also to set or constitute. This is also the meaning of the Greek word used by both the Septuagint and the apostle. The quotation is taken literally from the Septuagint.

The apostle's argument is founded, in part, on the fact that the past tense is used—I have made you—and that God spoke of something as already done, which he had promised or purposed to do. This means that he had, in his mind or purpose, constituted him the father of many nations. 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 only to his natural descendants but also 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. This means, who gives life to the dead (Ephesians 2:1, 5). This phrase expresses the power of God to give life. But why it is used here has been a subject of debate.

I regard it as referring to the strong natural improbability of the prophecy's fulfillment when it was given, arising from the age of Abraham and Sarah (Romans 4:19). Abraham exercised power in God, who gives life and who gives it as he pleases.

It is one of his prerogatives to give life to the dead (nekrouv)—to raise up those who are in their graves. A power similar to that, or strongly reminding one of that, was manifested in fulfilling the promise to Abraham. The giving of the promise and its fulfillment were such as strongly to remind us that God has power to give life to the dead.

And calleth, etc. That is, those things which he foretells 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 you, 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.