Romans 4:17

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

just as it is written [Gen. 17:5], “I [i.e., God] have made you [i.e., Abraham] forefather of many nations.” He received this promise in the presence of God, in whom he believed, and who gives life [back] to dead people and who refers to things [promised] as though they were [already] fulfilled.

Cross References

1 Corinthians 1:28

And He chose what the world considers insignificant and contemptible, and [even] what it considers “nothing,” in order to nullify what appears to be something.

John 5:21

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them [renewed] life [for their bodies (?)], even so the Son also gives [renewed] life to [the spirits (?)] of whoever He wants to.

1 Peter 2:10

At one time you [Gentiles] were not a [chosen] people, but now you are God’s [special] people. Once you had not received [His] mercy, but now you have received it.

John 6:63

It is the Holy Spirit who [Note: The Greek word here is “that” instead of “who”] gives life [i.e., understanding the spiritual nature of Jesus’ teaching can produce spiritual life]; the flesh is of no value [i.e., understanding Jesus’ teaching only in a physical sense makes it worthless]. The words I have spoken to you are [from the] Holy Spirit and [they give] life.

Romans 8:11

But if the Spirit of God, who raised up Jesus from the dead, lives in your hearts, [then] that One [i.e., God] who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead, will restore life to your mortal bodies also, through [the power of] God’s Spirit who lives in your hearts.

John 5:25

Truly, truly, I tell you, the time is coming, and is now [actually] here, when those who are [spiritually] dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear [i.e., and heed His message] will have [spiritual] life.

Hebrews 11:12

Therefore, from one man [Abraham], who was as good as dead [i.e., because of having a sterile wife], were born descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the [grains of] sand on the seashore.

Romans 3:29

Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is He not the God of the Gentiles also? Yes, [indeed], of the Gentiles also,

2 Peter 3:8

But do not forget this one thing, my dearly loved ones, that as the Lord [counts time], one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.

Hebrews 11:7

By [having] faith, when Noah was warned [by God] about conditions that had not yet been seen [i.e., regarding events of the coming Flood], he acted out of reverent concern [for God] by constructing a ship to save [i.e., rescue] his household [from the Flood waters]. By this [i.e., his faith which led to action], Noah condemned the world and inherited righteousness because of his faith.

1 Timothy 6:13

I [solemnly] urge you in the presence of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession when He testified in front of Pontius Pilate [See John 18:37; Matt. 27:17],

Romans 9:26

[Hosea 1:10 says], “And it will happen that in the very place where people were told, ‘You people do not belong to me [i.e., God],’ they will be called children of the living God.”

1 Corinthians 15:45

So, it is also written [Gen. 2:7], “The first man, Adam, became a living being.” The last Adam [i.e., Christ], became the Spirit who gives [never ending] life. [See John 5:21].

Romans 4:2

For if Abraham had been made right with God by doing good deeds he would have had something to boast about, but not in God’s presence.

Acts 15:18

This is what the Lord said when He predicted these things long ago.’

Matthew 3:9

and quit thinking to yourselves, we claim Abraham as our forefather, because I tell you, God is able to make Abraham’s children out of these stones.

Romans 4:18

Abraham hoped for what he believed [God had promised], even when there seemed little hope [of it happening], so this made him forefather of many nations, according to the words spoken to him [Gen. 15:5], “Your descendants will be many.”

Romans 9:11

– See Verse 12

Hebrews 11:3

By [having] faith, we understand that the universe was formed by God’s word [See Gen. 1:1-27], so that what is seen has not been made out of what is visible.