Romans 4:10-12

 

 

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Romans 4:10 How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; (NASB: Lockman)

Greek: pos oun elogisthe? (3SAPI) en peritome onti (PAPMSD) e en akrobustia? ouk en peritome all' en akrobustia
Amplified:  How then was it credited [to him]? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
NLT: But how did his faith help him? Was he declared righteous only after he had been circumcised, or was it before he was circumcised? The answer is that God accepted him first, and then he was circumcised later! (
NLT - Tyndale House)
Wuest: How then was it put to his account, at the time when he was circumcised or at the time when he was uncircumcised? Not in circumcision but in uncircumcision.  (Wuest: Expanded Translation: Erdmans)

REFERENCES ROMANS

Wayne Barber
Albert Barnes
John Calvin
Thomas Constable
Bob Deffinbaugh
Bob Deffinbaugh
Dave Guzik
Gregg Herrick
Hampton Keathley
Middletown
William Newell
John Piper
John Piper
Ray Pritchard
Ray Pritchard
A T Robertson
Ray Stedman
Ray Stedman
Marvin Vincent
Precept Ministries
Romans 3:31-4:12: Detail of God's Good News-3
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Romans 4 OT Illustration of Justification by Faith
Romans 3:27–4:25 Abraham: Faith of Our Father
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Romans 4:1-12 Exposition
Romans 4:1-8: Justification by Faith
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Romans 4:6-8 When the Lord does not...
Romans 4:9-12 Why Does it Matter...
Romans 4:1-8 Father Abraham     

Romans 4:9-12 Righteousness is a 5 Letter Word
Romans 4 Greek Word Studies
Romans 3:27-4:25: Exhibit A
Romans 4:1-12 The Father Of Faith
Romans 4: Greek Word Studies
Romans, Pt 1: Download lesson 1 of 14

ROMANS ROAD
to RIGHTEOUSNESS
Romans
1
:18-3:20
Romans
3:21-5:21
Romans
6:1-8:39
Romans
9:1-11:36
Romans
12:1-16:27
SIN SALVATION SANCTIFICATION SOVEREIGNTY SERVICE
NEED
FOR
SALVATION
WAY
OF
SALVATION
LIFE
OF
SALVATION
SCOPE
OF
SALVATION
SERVICE
OF
SALVATION
God's Holiness
In
Condemning
Sin
God's Grace
In
Justifying
Sinners
God's Power
In
Sanctifying
Believers
God's Sovereignty
In
Saving
Jew and Gentile
Gods Glory
The
Object of
Service
Deadliness
of Sin
Design
of Grace
Demonstration of Salvation
Power Given Promises Fulfilled Paths Pursued
Righteousness
Needed
Righteousness
Credited
Righteousness
Demonstrated
Righteousness
Restored to Israel
Righteousness
Applied
God's Righteousness
IN LAW
God's Righteousness
IMPUTED
God's Righteousness
OBEYED
God's Righteousness
IN ELECTION
God's Righteousness
DISPLAYED
Slaves to Sin Slaves to God Slaves Serving God
Doctrine Duty
Life by Faith Service by Faith

Modified from Irving L. Jensen's excellent work "Jensen's Survey of the NT"

HOW THEN WAS IT RECKONED: pos oun elogisthe (3SAPI):

Reckon (3049) (logizomai) (Click study of logizomai)

In a very real sense, Abraham was justified while still on Gentile ground, and this leaves the door wide open for other Gentiles to be justified, entirely apart from circumcision.

WHILE HE WAS CIRCUMCISED OR UNCIRCUMCISED : en peritome onti (PAPMSD): (Genesis 15:5,6,16
; 16:1-3; 17:1,10,23-27; 1 Corinthians 7:18,19; Galatians 5:6; 6:15)

Circumcision (4061) (see study of peritome) (See exposition of Scriptures on Circumcision)

How does this apply today? There are millions who have been taught as children, and even as adults that the thing that makes them acceptable to God is the fact that they were baptized or joined a church, etc. To the Jew it was the rite of circumcision what made a man acceptable to God. But they distorted the clear teaching of both the Old & New Testament teaching. Why? because they failed to read what had been clearly stated -- circumcision was only was a sign of the covenant (Ge 17:11). It was an external sign of an internal work of grace by faith (Genesis 15:6), when Abraham believed.

The Jews read what the "sages" and "wise" rabbis wrote in the Talmud and other writings about the meaning of circumcision -- they read and heard what other men said (the "commentaries" so to speak) but failed to check it out with what God said (Acts 17:11) and it cost them dearly (and eternally). The question one must ask is has the modern day church gone the same route placing more emphasis on what men say about the Word of God than in what God says in His Word?

NOT WHILE CIRCUMCISED BUT WHILE UNCIRCUMCISED: e en akrobustia ouk en peritome all en akrobustia:

Uncircumcised (203) (akrobustia from ákron = the extreme + búo = cover) means uncircumcised or uncircumcision and thus referred to the prepuce or foreskin

The chronology of Genesis proves Paul’s case. Abraham’s age when he was declared righteous (Ge 15:6) is not stated. But later when Hagar bore him Ishmael, he was 86yo (Ge 16:16). Ishmael was 13yo when both he and Abraham were circumcised (Ge 17:25,26) and Abraham was 99yo (Ge 17:24). But God declared him righteous before Ishmael had even been conceived (Ge 15:6; 16:2-4)—at least 14 years before Abraham’s circumcision.

Abraham was not justified because he was circumcised; he was circumcised as a testimony to the fact that he was justified.

Most of the world's people are "religious" in the sense that they keep some religious ordinances, rituals, and rules. This is both good and bad: good in the sense that rituals cause a person to think about some higher being, BUT bad in the sense that rituals are usually thought to be the way a person becomes acceptable to God. The present passage is as clear as can be: ritual is the wrong way for a man to seek acceptance and justification with God.

 

Romans 4:11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them,  (NASB: Lockman)

Greek: kai semeion elaben (3SAAI) peritomes, sphragida tes dikaiosunes tes pisteos tes en te akrobustia, eis to einai (PAN) auton patera panton ton pisteuonton (PAPMPG) di' akrobustias, eis to logisthenai (APN) [kai] autois [ten] dikaiosunen, 
Amplified: He received the mark of circumcision as a token or an evidence [and] seal of the righteousness which he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised--[faith] so that he was to be made the father of all who [truly] believe, though without circumcision, and who thus have righteousness (right standing with God) imputed to them and credited to their account,
(Amplified Bible - Lockman)
NLT: The circumcision ceremony was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous – even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are made right with God by faith.  (
NLT - Tyndale House)
Wuest:  And he received the attesting sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteous character of the faith which he had in his uncircumcision, resulting in his being the father of all who believe while in the state of uncircumcision, in order that there may be put to their account the righteousness;  (
Wuest: Expanded Translation: Erdmans)

AND HE RECEIVED THE SIGN OF CIRCUMCISION: kai semeion elaben (3SAAI) peritomes:  (Genesis 17:10; Exodus 12:13; 31:13,17; Ezekiel 20:12,20)

Sign (4592) (semeion from semaino =signify, make known, declare from sema = mark) describes an indication, a distinguishing mark, or as here a sign. Thus semeion is a sign by which something is designated, distinguished or known. Webster has a relevant definition stating that a sign is something material or external that stands for or signifies something spiritual. Semeion is something indicating the presence or existence of something else.

Circumcision (4061) (see study of peritome) (See exposition of Scriptures on Circumcision)

Circumcision, then, was not the instrumental cause of Abraham’s justification. It was merely an outward sign in his flesh that he had been justified by faith. Circumcision was the external token of the covenant between God and the people of Israel (Ge 17:11) but in this verse its meaning is used more specifically to indicate the righteousness which God imputed to Abraham through faith.

A SEAL OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE FAITH: sphragida tes dikaiosunes tes pisteos: (Ro 2:28,29
; Deuteronomy 30:6; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; Revelation 9:4) (13; 3:22; 9:30; 10:6; Galatians 5:5; Philippians 3:9; Hebrews 11:7; 2 Peter 1:1)

Seal (4973) (sphragis - see study on verb sphragizo) was used to describe an engraved object used to make a mark, the mark in turn denoting ownership, approval, or closure of something. A seal in ancient days was often made by pressing a ring (signet) into heated wax which was affixed to a document or letter marking it as a valid, authentic or genuine document. 

In sum a sign points to the existence of that which it signifies. A seal authenticates, confirms, certifies, or guarantees the genuineness of that which is signified.

Circumcision confirmed to Abraham that he was regarded and treated by God as righteous through faith. Circumcision did not bring righteousness, but was the visible sign to Abraham’s descendants of the righteousness that was imputed to him by faith. Also, circumcision was God’s seal of righteousness. Once righteousness has been imputed to the individual, it is sealed there forever.

Therefore, circumcision was a seal of the righteousness of the faith which Abraham had while uncircumcised. In other words, every time circumcision was performed God’s people were to be reminded of God’s righteousness that Abraham had, and all other believers have, through faith, completely apart from circumcision.

Warren Wiersbe explains that...

"As a sign, it (circumcision) was evidence that he belonged to God and believed His promise. As a seal, it was a reminder to him that God had given the promise and would keep it. Circumcision did not add to Abraham’s salvation; it merely attested to it.." (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary 1989. Victor) (Bolding added)

It is interesting to read in the rabbinical literature where they spoke of circumcision as the "seal of Abraham".

John Piper has an interesting thought regarding a sign/seal explaining that...

"When your life begins to conform to the will of God, this is a sign. It is a sign and seal that your faith is real and that you have an unshakable righteousness, namely, the righteousness of God in Christ. An act like circumcision, or any other act in obedience to God, does not give you your right standing with God. Faith alone does. But the acts of obedience are a sign and a seal that your faith is real and that Christ is your perfect righteousness." (cf Ro 1:5 2:8 15:18,19 16:26) (from Why Does It Matter Which Came First: Circumcision or Justification?) (Bolding added)

WHICH HE HAD WHILE UNCIRCUMCISED: tes en te akrobustia

ABRAHAM'S CIRCUMCISION FOLLOWS
HIS JUSTIFICATION

ABRAHAM'S AGE PASSAGE EVENT
75 Genesis 12:4 Called by God from Haran
75-86
(Cannot date
from Scripture)
Genesis 15:6 Abraham Justified by Faith
86 Genesis 16:16 Hagar bore Ishmael
99 Genesis 17:1 Abraham Circumcised
100 Genesis 17:17
Genesis 21
Isaac is born

At age 86 Abe went into Hagar producing Ishmael, the product of the flesh not of the promise--the flesh can never please God! So God appears to Abram whose body was as good as dead and He tells him that He is his El Shaddai and ''I will establish My covenant. I am your all sufficient One. Quit seeking other ways. Rest in Me. Trust Me.'' Where do you run when you need help? Run to the rock that is higher than you and you too find your promised strength in El Shaddai. The above chart clearly shows that Abraham was circumcised after he was justified by faith.

John Piper notes that Paul is clearly stating

"that you do not have to be a physical Jew or even a kosher proselyte to be a part of the covenant that God made with Abraham. What makes you a child of Abraham and a fellow heir of the promise is not circumcision or any other Jewish custom. It is faith in the God who justifies the ungodly. That is what united Abraham to God. And that is what will unite others to God and to him."

SO THAT HE MIGHT BE THE FATHER OF ALL WHO BELIEVE WITHOUT BEING CIRCUMCISED THAT RIGHTEOUSNESS MIGHT BE RECKONED TO THEM: eis to einai (PAN) auton patera panton ton pisteuonton (PAPMPG) di' akrobustias, eis to logisthenai (APN) [kai] autois [ten] dikaiosunen: (Ro 4:12,16-18; 3:22,26; 9:6,33; 10:4,11; Mt 8:11; 16:16; Luke 19:9; Jn 3:15,16,36; 6:35,40,40,47; 7:38,39; 8:33; 11:25,26; Gal 3:7,22,29; 6:16)

Physically, Abraham is the father of all Jews (they are both physically circumcised) ,but spiritually he is the father of both believing Jews and believing Gentiles (whether they are or are not circumcised).

John Piper adds

"God's point in justifying Abraham by faith alone before his being circumcised is to make clear that Abraham is the spiritual father of all who are justified by faith, no matter what people group they are from." (from Why Does It Matter Which Came First: Circumcision or Justification?)

When it says that Abraham is the father of believing Gentiles, there is no thought of physical descent. It simply means that these believers are his children because they imitate his faith (Gal 3:7,29). They are not his children by birth but become his children by faith in Christ. It is important to note that Paul is not teaching that believing Gentiles become the "Israel of God" (Gal 6:16). The "Israel of God" is composed of those physical Jews by birth who accept Jesus as their Messiah and Savior. Many commentaries have unfortunately incorrectly interpreted "Israel of God" (Gal 6:16) to mean the church which they designate as the so-called "new Israel".

The implication from this misinterpretation leads to the belief that God is finished with OT Israel and that all of the promises He made to them in the OT will be fulfilled in the church, the "new Israel". This teaching, which I personally consider to be incorrect, has been promulgated by those who go on to espouse the false teaching that God is finished with physical Israel. If that were true, I wonder why God wasted His time to go to such "sovereign lengths" to restore physical Israel to their physical land in May, 1948 against humanly impossible odds! This school of interpretation (based on Gal 6:16) is also forced to "do away with" a literal interpretation of the 1000 year reign of Messiah (see study of The Millennium) clearly described in Revelation 20. It is not surprising that these commentaries have considerable difficulty interpreting literally the numerous OT passages that prophesy of a coming earthly Messianic Kingdom. On the other hand, if (Gal 6:16) is interpreted literally and in context, the "Israel of God" refers to those who are Jews by natural birth (physical Jews) who then accept the Lord Jesus as their Messiah. This interpretation parallels Paul's teaching in (see note Romans 2:28-29) where he explains a "true Jew" is a physical Jew who accepts Messiah by faith. (Note: Ro 9-11 also makes it very clear that God is not finished with the Jew)

Reckoned (3049) (logizomai)  (Click in depth analysis of logizomai) means to think about something in a detailed and logical manner think about, reason about, put together with one’s mind, ponder, draw  conclusions through the use of reason. 

Logizomai is used as a technical term applied to God’s act of justification which is more fully explained in Romans 4:6. It is that imputation (the act of crediting to a person) of righteousness whose correlative is freedom from guilt, and the emphasis clearly rests upon “it is counted” (Ro 4:10, 23, 24).

 

Romans 4:12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised. (NASB: Lockman)

Greek: kai patera peritomes tois ouk ek peritomes monon alla kai tois stoichousin (PAPMPD) tois ichnesin tes en akrobustia pisteos tou patros hemon Abraam
Amplified: As well as [that he be made] the father of those circumcised persons who are not merely circumcised, but also walk in the way of that faith which our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
NLT: And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised.  (
NLT - Tyndale House)
Wuest: and the father of circumcision to these who are not of the circumcision only but to those who walk in the footsteps of the faith of our father Abraham when he was in uncircumcision. (
Wuest: Expanded Translation: Erdmans)

AND THE FATHER OF CIRCUMCISION TO THOSE WHO NOT ONLY ARE OF THE CIRCUMCISION: kai patera peritomes tois ouk ek peritomes monon: (Romans 9:6-7; Matthew 3:9; Luke 16:23-31; John 8:39,40; Galatians 4:22-31)

Circumcision (4061) (peritome from perí = around + témno = cut off) refers literally to cutting and removal of the foreskin. As discussed below both the Old and New Testament also use the concept of circumcision in a figurative or metaphorical sense. (See also exposition of Scriptures on Circumcision)

Although circumcision was required by the Mosaic law, the rite was neglected during the days when the people of Israel wandered in the wilderness. Perhaps this was a sign that the nation had broken their covenant with God through their disobedience. The rite was resumed when they entered the land of Canaan, with Joshua performing the ritual on the generation born in the wilderness (Joshua 5). The Hebrew people came to take great pride in circumcision; in fact, it became a badge of their spiritual and national superiority. This practice fostered an exclusivist mentality ins