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Romans 4:16-17 - The Life-Maker

  • Writer: Chad Werkhoven
    Chad Werkhoven
  • 1 day ago
  • 4 min read

Ditch the day's distractions and dwell on one of the Bible's most profound claims.



Romans 4:16–17 (NIV)

16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”  He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

Canons of Dordt

Point 4 - Irresistible Grace


Article 15: Responses to God's grace


  1. God does not owe grace to anyone. 

    1. For what could God owe to those who have nothing to give that can be paid back? 

    2. Indeed, what could God owe to those who have nothing of their own to give but sin and falsehood? 

  2. Therefore 

    1. those who receive this grace owe and give eternal thanks to God alone; 

    2. those who do not receive it either 

      1. do not care at all about these spiritual things and are satisfied with themselves in their condition, 

      2. or else in self-assurance foolishly boast about having something which they lack. 

  3. Furthermore, following the example of the apostles, 

    1. we are to think and to speak in the most favorable way 

      1. about those who outwardly profess their faith and better their lives, 

      2. for the inner chambers of the heart are unknown to us. 

    2. But for others who have not yet been called, we are to pray to the God who calls things that do not exist as though they did. 

  4. In no way, however, are we to pride ourselves as better than they, as though we had distinguished ourselves from them.


Summary


The final clause of Romans 4:17 is one of the most stunning statements ever written. It attributes two abilities to God that cannot be attributed to anyone or anything else. As is often the case with profound verses like this, all of the major English translations render it slightly differently, not because each thinks the other is wrong, but because even though Paul's original words are simple and straightforward, there are multiple different ways to properly express it.


Let's start with the first half of the clause:


  • NIV, ESV - the God who gives life to the dead...

  • LEB, NET - the God... who makes the dead alive...

  • My favorite here is the good 'ol KJV - God, who quickeneth the dead...

  • My literal translation: God, the life-maker of the dead...


It's the second half of the clause that's even more stunning. Again, Paul's original verbiage is both simple and elegant: God calls mē onta hōs onta. But again, there's more than one good way to translate:


  • NIV: God... calls into being things that were not.

  • ESV: God.. calls into existence the things that do not exist.

  • LEB: God... calls the things that are not as though they are.

  • NET: God... summons the things that do not yet exist as though they already do.

  • KJV: God... calleth those things which be not as though they were.

  • My literal translation: God... calls non-being to be.



  Dig Deeper  


We're bombarded nearly each and every moment with carefully crafted distractions designed to channel our attention to whatever product or service the distractor intended. Clicking on one slightly amusing short-form video quickly leads to a half hour or more scrolling through more slightly amusing videos. A sudden pop up ad causes us to covet a product we didn't even know existed until that point. High resolution digital billboards vie for our attention as we drive through town.


So take some time today to pull yourself away from the continual distractions and instead take time to dwell on one or both of these amazing truths: that God makes the dead alive, and that He makes things be out of nothing.


The Canons embrace Paul's profound theology here to bring comfort to those whose loved ones seem to continually dismiss the promises of the gospel. But for others who have not yet been called, the Canons confess, we are to pray to the God who calls things that do not exist as though they did.


You and others may have tried everything to convince your loved one of God's truth, but nothing seems to work. The Canons here remind you in this sad and desperate situation to put your faith and trust in the God who is the life-maker of the dead and the One who made all things out of nothing. Only He can bring new life to the lost.



  • ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not;

  • ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that God will give life to those you know who ignore or reject His gospel truth;

  • ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:

Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 1 Timothy 2

 
 
 

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