The verse “call those things which are not as though they were” is found in Romans 4:17 in the Bible. This verse falls within the broader context of Romans chapter 4, where the apostle Paul is discussing the nature of faith and justification. Specifically, Paul is using Abraham as an example of someone who exhibited great faith in God’s promises.
Romans 4:17 states: “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 those things which are not as though they were.” (ESV)
So what exactly does it mean to “call those things which are not as though they were”? Let’s break it down:
1. God Can Call Into Being Things That Do Not Yet Exist
This verse is describing an aspect of God’s divine power – namely, His ability to speak things into existence. This is clear from the first part of the verse that references God calling Abraham “a father of many nations.” At the time God made this promise to him, Abraham did not have any children (see Romans 4:18-21). Yet God referred to him as a “father of many nations” because He intended to make it so in the future.
This is what God also did at the creation of the world in Genesis 1. God literally spoke the world into being through His divine commands (“Let there be light…” etc.). Hebrews 11:3 tells us: “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” God’s words brought the visible world into existence out of nothing.
So when Romans 4:17 refers to God “calling those things which are not as though they were,” it means He can call into being things that do not yet exist or have not yet happened. If God declares something will happen, it is as good as done, even if it does not yet exist in reality. His word has the power to manifest its decrees.
2. This Shows the Power of God’s Promises
A key point here is that the God who can call non-existent things into being is the same God who made promises to Abraham. This demonstrates that God’s promises have the same authority and power as His divine decrees. When God makes a promise, it is as good as fulfilled, even if it has not yet happened.
For example, God promised Abraham he would have countless descendants, even when he had no children at the time. God essentially spoke this promise into being, decreeing it would happen in the future. Abraham could have faith in this promise, because the same God who creates worlds can bring His promises to fulfillment. All of God’s promises have this power behind them.
3. It Encourages Faith to “Call Those Things” Before They Happen
Because God’s promises contain the power to bring about His decrees, this verse also encourages us to “call those things that are not as though they were.” Our faith is strengthened when we trust and declare in prayer the promises God has made to us, even before we see the tangible results. Just like Abraham giving glory to God as the “father of many nations” before Isaac was born, we are to trust what God has said He will do.
So if God has promised to meet our needs, we thank Him and call Him our provider even when we currently have lack. If He has promised healing, we call ourselves healed by faith before experiencing the medical evidence. Our “calling” helps align our perspective and confession with the superior spiritual reality of God’s promise.
4. This Principle Can Apply to Other Areas of Faith
While Romans 4:17 is specifically about God manifesting His promises, this principle of “calling those things which are not as though they were” can be applied to other areas of the Christian faith as well. Here are some examples:
- We can call ourselves righteous in Christ, even though we know we still sin at times.
- We can thank God that the healing power of Jesus’ death provides health and wholeness, even when we still have illness.
- We can praise God that He is working all circumstances for our good, even when in the midst of current troubles.
In essence, we are aligning our perspective with the superior spiritual realities that exist in Christ. This brings glory to God, builds our faith, and helps unlock the manifestation of His promises.
5. This Does Not Mean We Pretend or Deny Reality
Calling “those things which are not as though they were” does not mean we deny reality or pretend that something exists when it clearly does not. For example, we don’t pretend we actually have $10 million in the bank if we don’t. And we don’t deny ourselves food or medicine, believing we’ve already called ourselves healed. That would be foolishness.
Instead, this principle means aligning our faith perspective with the eternal spiritual realities contained in God’s promises. We trust Him to manifest His promises in the natural realm and the timing of His choosing. But we bring our mindset into alignment with His truth now. This actually does more to change our circumstances than simple positive thinking or mind-over-matter belief.
6. This Requires Us Knowing God’s Will and His Promises
A key prerequisite for calling non-existent things into being is knowing what God has actually promised. We cannot just declare anything into existence or boldly claim things God has not decreed. That would be an arrogant use of this verse.
First, we must know God’s will. We know His moral laws and principles as revealed in Scripture. We surrender our thoughts and ways to His higher plans and purposes (Isaiah 55:8-9). We also need the Holy Spirit to guide us, so our decrees align with true spiritual realities rather than wishful thinking.
Second, we must know the promises God has clearly given us in the Bible. Promises of provision, healing, mercy, and eternal life. These unchangeable realities are revealed through Scripture. As we know God’s character and His promises, we can start aligning our perspective and declarations with His superior truth. This then activates our faith and partnership with Him.
7. Our Faith Releases Divine Power, But God Remains Sovereign
When we call those things which are not as though they were, we are releasing faith in God’s ability to manifest His promises in our lives. Our faith and words do have power, as Scripture says:
“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 17:20
However, this does not make us all-powerful or override God’s sovereignty. Our declarations and faith are not magical incantations that can manipulate God. He remains infinitely higher and His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9). We align with His truth, not the other way around.
Our childlike faith releases the power of God, but according to His supreme will and perfect timing. We simply partner with Him as He performs His miracles through us. His promises are established regardless of our wavering faith.
8. This Has Major Implications for Prayer
Calling those things which are not as though they were is directly applicable to our prayer lives. When we come before God in prayer, we are not just wishing or daydreaming. We are speaking in faith, aligning our requests and declarations according to His promises.
Instead of praying weak prayers like “Lord, I hope you can heal my marriage,” we boldly call it healed by faith: “Thank you Lord that you are restoring my marriage. You are renewing our love and unity.” The second prayer aligns with God’s will and has faith in His redemptive power. This partnership through prayer is part of the process of seeing His will manifest on earth.
So God encourages us to embrace this principle in our prayer lives. We declare by faith the promises He has made to us. We call “those things which are not” into existence through prayer.
9. This Verse Points to God’s Ability to Give Eternal Life
Romans 4:17 specifically describes God as the One “who gives life to the dead and calls those things which are not as though they were.” The broader context makes it clear this applies primarily to God granting Abraham a son in his old age. Yet it also hints at God’s power over physical death and His ability to grant eternal life.
Only the One who “calls into being things which are not” has power over death itself. Only He can call a dead person back to life, just as easily as He spoke the world into being. This verse implicitly points to the promise of resurrection for those who have faith in God’s power. He is ultimately the God “who gives life to the dead.”
Because Christ defeated death through His own resurrection, we can now share in His resurrection life (Romans 6:5). By faith, God calls us out of death into eternal life with Him. This amazing promise is tied to His ability to “call those things which are not as though they were.” What God decrees will always come to pass.
10. This Truth Helps Us Persevere Through Suffering
Living in a fallen world, Christians will suffer trials and natural hardships in this life. Sickness, poverty, relational strife and more will sometimes confront us. But by faith we can call God’s help and redemption into even the worst situations. We align our perspective with how we know He wants to respond based on His promises.
When we feel utterly hopeless, we can thank God that “He has plans to prosper us” because we know His heart (Jeremiah 29:11). When assaulted with fear, we can praise Him for granting peace and strength beyond our understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). Even if our circumstances have not yet changed, we declare spiritual realities and comforts into existence that are only found in Christ.
This ability helps us persevere and lifts our eyes to the spiritual realm. By faith, we call into being the promises of God for redemption, even when still suffering. He is faithful to His word. Our circumstance does not change who God is.
Conclusion
Romans 4:17 provides an incredible glimpse into the power of God’s divine will, authority and ability to speak promises into existence. When we exercise faith in alignment with God’s character and promises, we can start “calling those things that are not as though they were.” This does not replace God’s sovereignty, but releases His power.
Through prayer and declarations of faith, we partner with God in bringing His invisible Kingdom promises into the visible world. We embrace by faith the spiritual realities that are only found in Christ. This faith honors God and helps unlock His miracles in our lives and world. By His grace, God calls eternal realities into our temporary existence.