Abraham Justified before Circumcision

Is this blessing only for the circumcised,(A) then? Or is it also for the uncircumcised? For we say, Faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness.(B)[a] 10 In what way then was it credited—while he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while he was circumcised, but uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision(C) as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith[b](D) while still uncircumcised. This was to make him the father(E) of all who believe(F) but are not circumcised, so that righteousness may be credited to them also.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:9 Gn 15:6
  2. Romans 4:11 Lit righteousness of faith

Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised?(A) We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.(B) 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.(C) So then, he is the father(D) of all who believe(E) but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

Read full chapter