Romans 4:11 · Clearspring

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Other translations

WEBBE

He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they might be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be accounted to them.

BSB

And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

KJV

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

ASV

and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them;

BBE

And he was given the sign of circumcision as a witness of the faith which he had before he underwent circumcision: so that he might be the father of all those who have faith, though they have not circumcision, and so that righteousness might be put to their account;

Original Greek

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καὶ kai And G2532 σημεῖον sēmeion [the] sign G4592 ἔλαβεν elaben he received G2983 περιτομῆς peritomēs of circumcision G4061 σφραγῖδα sphragida a seal G4973 τῆς tēs of the G3588 δικαιοσύνης dikaiosunēs righteousness G1343 τῆς tēs of the G3588 πίστεως pisteōs faith G4102 τῆς tēs that [he had] G3588 ἐν en [while] in G1722 τῇ tēa the G3588 ἀκροβυστίᾳ akrobustia uncircumcision G203 εἰς eis for G1519 τὸ to the G3588 εἶναι einai to be G1511 αὐτὸν auton him G846 πατέρα patera father G3962 πάντων pantōn of all G3956 τῶν tōn those G3588 πιστευόντων pisteuontōn believing G4100 δι di᾽ in G1223 ἀκροβυστίας akrobustias uncircumcision G203 εἰς eis for G1519 τὸ to (the) G3588 λογισθῆναι logisthēnai to be credited G3049 καὶ kai also G2532 αὐτοῖς autois to them G846 τὴν tēn the G3588 δικαιοσύνην dikaiosunēn righteousness G1343

The early church

See you how he shows the Jews to be as it were of the class of parasites (i.e. guests), rather than those in uncircumcision, and that these were added to the others? For if he was justified and crowned while in uncircumcision, the Jews came in afterwards, Abraham is then the father first of the uncircumcised, which through faith appertain to him, and then of those in the circumcision. For he is a forefather of two lines. See you faith lightening up? for till it came the patriarch was not justified. See you the uncircumcision offering no hindrance? for he was uncircumcised, yet was not hindered from being justified. The circumcision therefore is behind the faith. And why wonder that it is behind the faith, when it is even behind the uncircumcision. Nor is it behind faith only, but very far inferior to it, even so far as the sign is to the reality of which it is the sign; for instance, as the seal is to the soldier. And why, he says, did he want a seal then? He did not want it himself. For what purpose then did he receive it? With a view to his being the father alike of them that believe in uncircumcision and in circumcision. But not of those in circumcision absolutely: wherefore he goes on to say, "To them who are not of the circumcision only." For if to the uncircumcised, it is not in that he is uncircumcised that he is their father, although justified in uncircumcision; but in that they imitated his faith; much less is it owing to circumcision that he is the forefather of those in the state of circumcision, unless faith also be added.

John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Romans

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 1–12

To meet the views of the Jews, the apostle first refers to the example of Abraham, in whom the Jews gloried as their most renowned forefather. However exalted in various respects, he had nothing to boast in the presence of God, being saved by grace, through faith, even as others. Without noticing the years which passed before his call, and the failures at times in his obedience, and even in his faith, it was expressly stated in Scripture that "he believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness," Ge 15:6. From this example it is observed, that if any man could work the full measure required by the law, the reward must be reckoned as a debt, which evidently was not the case even of Abraham, seeing faith was reckoned to him for righteousness. When believers are justified by faith, "their faith being counted for righteousness," their faith does not justify them as a part, small or great, of their righteousness; but as the appointed means of uniting them to Him who has chosen as the name whereby he shall be called, "the Lord our Righteousness." Pardoned people are the only blessed people. It clearly appears from the Scripture, that Abraham was justified several years before his circumcision. It is, therefore, plain that this rite was not necessary in order to justification. It was a sign of the original corruption of human nature. And it was such a sign as was also an outward seal, appointed not only to confirm God's promises to him and to his seed, and their obligation to be the Lord's, but likewise to assure him of his being already a real partaker of the righteousness of faith. Thus Abraham was the spiritual forefather of all believers, who walked after the example of his obedient faith. The seal of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification, making us new creatures, is the inward evidence of the righteousness of faith.

Read Matthew Henry on Romans 4 →

Cross-references

41

Topics

Symbols And Similitudes Righteousness Circumcision Seal