“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:”
My Notes
What Does Romans 4:11 Mean?
Paul explains the purpose of Abraham's circumcision: 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.
He received the sign of circumcision — circumcision is called a sign (semeion — a visible marker, an outward indication of an inward reality). The sign is received — it does not create the reality. It marks it. Circumcision was given to Abraham in Genesis 17 — years after he believed God and it was counted as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). The sequence matters: faith first, then the sign.
A seal (sphragis) of the righteousness of the faith — a seal confirms, authenticates, and validates. Circumcision sealed — confirmed and authenticated — the righteousness that Abraham already possessed through faith. The seal does not produce the righteousness. It certifies it. The righteousness came by faith. The circumcision came afterward as the visible stamp on an already-existing reality.
Which he had yet being uncircumcised — the timing is Paul's argument. Abraham was declared righteous (Genesis 15:6) while still uncircumcised. The circumcision came later (Genesis 17). Therefore, the righteousness did not require circumcision. It preceded it. The order eliminates circumcision as a requirement for righteousness.
That he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised — Abraham's uncircumcised faith establishes him as the father of all who believe without circumcision — the Gentiles. If Abraham was righteous before circumcision, then circumcision is not necessary for righteousness. The Gentiles who believe receive the same righteousness Abraham had — imputed by faith alone.
That righteousness might be imputed unto them also — imputed (logizomai — credited, reckoned, counted). The same righteousness credited to Abraham is credited to every believer — circumcised or not. The imputation is identical. The faith is the same. The circumcision is irrelevant to the transaction.
The verse demolishes any requirement for ritual qualification before faith can produce righteousness. Abraham believed, and it was counted. The sign came later. The order is the argument.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Why does the timing — faith before circumcision — matter so much to Paul's argument?
- 2.How does circumcision being a 'seal' (not a source) of righteousness change the way you think about religious rituals?
- 3.What does Abraham being 'father of all who believe' — circumcised or not — mean for the universal accessibility of salvation by faith?
- 4.What are you adding to faith as a requirement for right standing with God — and how does this verse challenge that addition?
Devotional
He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised. The order is everything. Abraham believed God — and God credited it as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). Then — years later — Abraham received circumcision (Genesis 17). The faith came first. The sign came second. The righteousness was already counted before the knife ever touched flesh.
A seal. Not a source. Circumcision did not produce the righteousness. It sealed it — confirmed it, stamped it, authenticated what was already there. The sign is like a diploma: it certifies the education. It does not create it. Abraham's righteousness existed before circumcision the way your education exists before the ceremony. The sign marks the reality. It does not manufacture it.
That he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised. This is why the order matters. If Abraham was righteous before circumcision, then circumcision is not required for righteousness. And if circumcision is not required, then every person who believes — Jew or Gentile, circumcised or not — can receive the same righteousness Abraham received. The door is open to everyone who believes. Not everyone who performs a ritual. Everyone who believes.
That righteousness might be imputed unto them also. Imputed — credited, counted, placed in your account. The same righteousness that was credited to Abraham's account is credited to yours — not because of any ritual you performed but because of the faith you exercised. The transaction is identical: believe, and it is counted as righteousness. No additional qualification required.
What are you adding to faith as a requirement for righteousness? What ritual, what performance, what credential are you treating as necessary beyond believing? Abraham's story says: faith was enough. The sign came later. The righteousness was already counted. And it is counted the same way for you.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And the father of circumcision,.... So the Jews call Abraham (l), "the head of those that are circumcised"; and (m),…
And he received the sign ... - A sign is that by which any thing is shown, or represented. And circumcision thus showed…
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal, etc. - So far was obedience to the law of circumcision from being the…
St. Paul observes in this paragraph when and why Abraham was thus justified; for he has several things to remark upon…
the sign of circumcision i.e. circumcision as a physical mark to denote the accomplished fact of justification.
a seal…
Cross References
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