Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Romans 4:17

κατέναντι οὗ κ.τ.λ Cf. 2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Corinthians 12:19; and esp. Acts 8:21 : = κατέναντι τοῦ θεοῦ ᾦ ἐπίστ. Ἀ

The clause is to be taken with the main sentence, not with the relative clause: the promise to Abraham is secure for the faith of Abraham, wherever it is found, because the promise comes from and the faith rests on the one and the same GOD who, then as now, now as then, quickens, etc. (Giff., S. H. take it with the relative clause: W. H. and Lft, ad loc[120], as above.)

[120] ad loc. ad locum

τοῦ ζ. τ. ν. As Romans 4:19, the type is the birth of Isaac: the antitype is the quickening of man under the action of GOD’S grace; cf. 1 Timothy 6:13; cf. John 5:21; John 5:25 (n. connexion between καλεῖν and ζωο.).

καλουντος τὰ μὴ ὄντα ὡς ὄντα. Cf. Hosea 2:23; qu. Romans 9:25; not = calling into being things that are not (= εἰς τὸ εἶναι), but either ‘naming things that are not as though they were’ with reference to the imputed righteousness, or ‘summoning to His service things that are not as though they were,’ of the call of the descendants of Abraham in the lineage of faith. Then the making the unborn child the vehicle of the promise is typical of this. The context (ζωοπ.) points to the latter and fuller meaning, as also does S. Paul’s use of καλεῖν; cf. S. H.

It was on the creative power of GOD that Abraham rested, as is further emphasised in Romans 4:18.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Romans 4:17

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