Romans 4:17

as it is written Genesis 17:5, when the name Abraham was given. Cp. the remarkable phrase of Galatians 3:8, where Scripture is, as it were, identified with its Inspirer, and the words of Genesis are distinctly claimed as a prophecy of the Gospel. It is a shallow criticism that objects that Mosesprobably had no such design. Whether so or not, the Apostle, like his brethren (1 Peter 1:11) and his Lord (Matthew 22:43), claims that behind the knowledge, thought, and words of the prophets, lies everywhere the thought and purpose of Him "who spake by them." And if indeed Jesus is the Eternal Son, is such a preparation for Him out of proportion?The quotation here is lit. from LXX.

before him, &c. More lit. in the presence (i.e. in the judgment) of the God whom he believed. The clause is connected with "who is the father of us all." Q. d., "little as manmay see in Abraham the forefather of believing Greeks and Scythians, Godboth ordained and acts upon such fatherhood."

quickeneth i.e. (as always in Bible-English) maketh alive. This noble description of Omnipotence has immediate reference to the miracle of the birth of Isaac in the childless old age of Abraham and Sarah (see Romans 4:19, and cp. Hebrews 11:11-12).

calleth i.e., practically, treats as being. Cp. the quotation at Romans 9:25 for a similar use of the verb. The Almighty addresses (i.e. deals with) non-existent things, and even things which from man's point of view cannotexist (e.g. a son of one who was "as good as dead"), as if existing, because soon to exist according to His purpose.