“(as it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations’) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;” (Romans 4:17).
This passage from Romans 4:17 provides an opportunity to make a brief observation concerning the nature of Biblical inspiration. Consider the insights offered by the following author…
“The Holy Spirit moved men to write. He allowed them to use their own styles, cultures, gifts, and character. He allowed them to use the results of their own study and research, write of their own experiences, and express what was in their minds… they recorded accurately all God wanted them to say and exactly how He wanted them to say it in their own character, styles, and languages.” (1)
Although it may not seem obvious from the text, this passage showcases the manner in which the Biblical authors conveyed their distinct personalities and individual writing styles. For instance, Paul 
the Apostle often wove parenthetical statements into his Biblical epistles. This refers to a word, phrase, or qualification that adds supplementary information to a message. As the name suggests, a parenthetical statement is typically bracketed in parentheses whenever it occurs within a written work.
We encountered a previous example of this approach in Romans 3:5, as Paul took a break from his central theme to offer a brief clarifying remark. Similar examples appear in 1 Corinthians 1:14–16, Galatians 2:8, and Ephesians 3:1–2 as well. Paul’s distinct communication style is evident in these passages, adding character, personality, and clarity to his divinely inspired works.
There are two parenthetical statements that appear here in Romans 4:17. The first (“I have made you a father of many nations“), builds on a concept Paul introduced in the previous verse: Abraham is the father of all who respond to God in faith, regardless of their national origin. The second (“God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did“) refers to God’s sovereign ability to bring into being whatever He decrees. This also encompasses things that may seem impossible from a human perspective.
In the context of our text from Romans 4:17, this relates to Abraham’s physical ability to conceive a child with his wife Sarah despite their advanced ages. Thus, “If God could call the dead womb of Sarah to life, he can call those who are dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) to new life in Christ.” (2)
(1) Brian H. Edwards. Why Should We Believe in the Inerrancy of Scripture? Answers in Genesis. July 5, 2011. Retrieved 06 March, 2026 https://answersingenesis.org/is-the-bible-true/why-should-we-believe-in-the-inerrancy-of-scripture/
(2) Guzik, D. (2025, April 3). Enduring Word Bible Commentary Romans Chapter 4. Enduring Word. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/romans-4/