Romans 4:17 is studied here as a Biblical passage first: in its immediate King James context, through its recurring metaphysical themes, and through source-grounded readings preserved in Neville Goddard's lectures and books.
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Read the Passage in Context
- Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
- Romans 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
- Romans 4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
Open Romans 4:17 in the YHWSA Bible workspace for the complete chapter, word tools, notes, and comparisons.
Key Metaphysical Themes
- Creation
- Unseen Reality
- Assumption
- Manifestation
- Calling Things Into Being
- Unseen To Seen
- Imagination
- Unseen
- Seen
- Calling Things That Are Not
- Resurrecting Power
- Belief
Neville’s Reading in Creation Faith
God's creative method is to call into being that which is not yet visible, treating it as if it already exists, thereby causing the unseen to manifest in the visible world.
That he calls a thing that is not now seen as though it were seen, and the unseen becomes seen. (Romans 4:17)
Source: Creation Faith
Neville’s Reading in Faith In God
The act of imagining a desired state as real, even though it is not physically present, is the divine method of creation, making the unseen manifest.
This afternoon I held a rose in my hand, thereby calling a thing that was not seen as though it were seen; and tonight the unseen becomes seen. That’s how the world was created by the Word of God, who is the Human Imagination!
Source: Faith In God
Neville’s Reading in Grace Vs Law
This verse explains the mechanism of the law: by calling (imagining) things that are not yet seen as if they are, the unseen (imaginal act) becomes manifest in the physical world.
Romans 17:4: “He calls a thing that is not seen as though it were seen and the unseen becomes seen.”
Source: Grace Vs Law
Neville’s Reading in Live In The End
Neville interprets this verse to mean that God (human imagination) brings things into being by assuming their reality before they are physically manifest, thus 'calling' the unseen into the seen.
Are we not told that God calls a thing that is not seen as though it were seen, and then the unseen becomes seen? (See Romans 4:17) He calls everything from the unseen into the seen in this simple manner, for He is the resurrecting power.
Source: Live In The End
Neville’s Reading in Perception
Neville interprets God's ability to 'call things that are not as though they were' as the core principle of manifestation through imagination. By identifying one's imagination with God, one can assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled, thereby calling a desired state into being through belief.
Identify your human imagination with God, and because God calls a thing that is not now seen as though it were seen, you can call a state into being by assuming you are in it. And if you believe you have received your desire, you will, for belief will lead the way to its fulfillment.
Source: Perception
Neville’s Reading in Remain Faithful To Your Idea
This phrase refers to the power of imagination to bring into being that which is not yet physically manifest. It's about assuming the reality of the desired state before sensory evidence confirms it.
But here is a technique that makes it easy to "call things which are not seen as though they were," that is, to encounter an event before it occurs.
Source: Remain Faithful To Your Idea
Practical Reflection
- Instead of calling something out of nothing, you simply rearrange that which already is until it implies what you want. Then you remain loyal to that unseen reality.
- Imagine a desired object or state with sensory vividness, treating it as already real, to bring it into physical manifestation.
- Assume the reality of your desired state, even if it is not yet seen, knowing that this assumption is the power that resurrects it into objective reality.
- Assume the feeling of your wish fulfilled, believing you have already received your desire, to call that state into being.
Authoritative Neville Sources
YHWSA provides the Biblical workspace. MyNevilleGoddard.com preserves the complete source works behind the Neville-specific readings.
- Creation Faith (lecture)
- Faith In God (lecture)
- Grace Vs Law (lecture)
- Live In The End (lecture)
- Perception (lecture)
- Remain Faithful To Your Idea (lecture)
Questions about Romans 4:17
What is the metaphysical meaning of Romans 4:17?
YHWSA reads Romans 4:17 in its Biblical context while examining the states of consciousness and spiritual themes expressed by the passage.
Where can I read Romans 4:17 in context?
Open the linked YHWSA Bible workspace to read the complete chapter and use its language, note, and comparison tools.
Where did Neville Goddard discuss Romans 4:17?
The source list links to the complete lectures and books on MyNevilleGoddard.com rather than reproducing those works as a competing article.