Rom 4:9-12 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 9. Cometh, etc. The apostle has now prepared the way for an examination of the inquiry whether this came in consequence of obedience to the law? or whether it was without obedience to the law? Having shown that Abraham was justified by faith, in accordance with the doctrine which he was defending, the only remaining inquiry was, whether it was after he was circumcised or before; whether in consequence of his circumcision or not. If it was after his circumcision, the Jew might still maintain that it was by complying with the works of the law; but if it was before , the point of the apostle would be established, that it was without the works of the law. Still further, if he was justified by faith before he was circumcised, then here was an instance of justification and acceptance without conformity to the Jewish law; and if the father of the Jewish nation was so justified, and reckoned as a friend of God without being circumcised, i.e. in the condition in which the heathen world then was, then it would follow that the Gentiles might be justified in a similar way now. It would not be departing, therefore, from the spirit of the Old Testament itself to maintain, as the apostle had done, ( ) that the Gentiles who had not been circumcised might obtain the favour of God as well as the Jew; that is, that it was independent of circumcision, and might be extended to all. This blessedness . This happy state, or condition. This state of being justified by God, and of being regarded as his friends. This is the sum of all blessedness; the only state that can be truly pronounced happy. Upon the circumcision only. The Jews alone, as they pretended. Or upon the uncircumcision also . The Gentiles who believed as the apostle maintained. For we say . We all admit. It is a conceded point. It was the doctrine of the apostle, as well as the Jews; and as much theirs as his. With this, then, as a conceded point, what is the fair inference to be drawn from it?

Romans 4:9-12

Verse 9. Cometh, etc. The apostle has now prepared the way for an examination of the inquiry whether this came in consequence of obedience to the law? or whether it was without obedience to the law? Having shown that Abraham was justified by faith, in accordance with the doctrine which he was defending, the only remaining inquiry was, whether it was after he was circumcised or before; whether in consequence of his circumcision or not. If it was after his circumcision, the Jew might still maintain that it was by complying with the works of the law; but if it was before, the point of the apostle would be established, that it was without the works of the law. Still further, if he was justified by faith before he was circumcised, then here was an instance of justification and acceptance without conformity to the Jewish law; and if the father of the Jewish nation was so justified, and reckoned as a friend of God without being circumcised, i.e. in the condition in which the heathen world then was, then it would follow that the Gentiles might be justified in a similar way now. It would not be departing, therefore, from the spirit of the Old Testament itself to maintain, as the apostle had done, (Rom 3) that the Gentiles who had not been circumcised might obtain the favour of God as well as the Jew; that is, that it was independent of circumcision, and might be extended to all.

This blessedness. This happy state, or condition. This state of being justified by God, and of being regarded as his friends. This is the sum of all blessedness; the only state that can be truly pronounced happy.

Upon the circumcision only. The Jews alone, as they pretended.

Or upon the uncircumcision also. The Gentiles who believed as the apostle maintained.

For we say. We all admit. It is a conceded point. It was the doctrine of the apostle, as well as the Jews; and as much theirs as his. With this, then, as a conceded point, what is the fair inference to be drawn from it? Verse 10. How. In what circumstances, or time.

When he was in circumcision, etc. Before or after he was circumcised? This was the very point of the inquiry. For if he was justified by faith after he was circumcised, the Jew might pretend that it was in virtue of his circumcision; that even his faith was acceptable, because he was circumcised. But if it was before he was circumcised, this plea could not be set up; and the argument of the apostle was confirmed by the case of Abraham, the great father and model of the Jewish people, that circumcision and the deeds of the law did not conduce to justification; and that as Abraham was justified without those works, so might others be; and the heathen, therefore, might be admitted to similar privileges.

Not in circumcision. Not being circumcised, or after he was circumcised, but before. This was the record in the case, Gen 15:6. Comp. Gen 17:10. Verse 11. And he received the sign, etc. A sign is that by which anything is shown or represented. And circumcision thus showed that there was a covenant between Abraham and God, Gen 17:1-10. It became the public mark or token of the relation which he sus- tained to God.

A seal. Jn 3:33. A seal is that mark of wax or other substance, which is attached to an instrument of writing, as a deed, etc., to confirm, ratify it, or to make it binding. Sometimes instruments were sealed, or made authentic by stamping on them some word, letter, or device, which had been engraved on silver, or on precious stones. The seal or stamp was often worn as an ornament on the finger. Est 8:8, Gen 41:42, 38:18, Ex 28:11,36, 39. To affix the seal, whether of wax or otherwise, was to confirm a contract or engagement. In allusion to this, circumcision is called a seal of the covenant which God had made with Abraham. That is, he appointed this as a public attestation to the fact that he had previously approved of Abraham, and had made important promises to him.

Which he had yet being circumcised, he believed, (Gen 15:6) was accepted, or justified; was admitted to the favour of God, and favoured with clear and remarkable promises, (Gen 15:18-21; 17:1-9) before he was circumcised. Circumcision, therefore, could have contributed neither to his justification, nor to the promise made to him by God.

That he might be the father, etc. All this was done that Abraham might be held up as an example, or a model, of the very doctrine which the apostle was defending. The word father here is used evidently in a spiritual sense, as denoting that he was the ancestor of all true believers; that he was their model and example. They are regarded as his children because they are possessed of his spirit; are justified in the same way, and are imitators of his example. Mt 1:1. In this sense the expression occurs in Lk 19:9, Jn 8:33, Gal 3:7,29.

Though they be not circumcised. This was stated fix opposition to the opinion of the Jews, that all ought to be circumcised. As the apostle had shown that Abraham enjoyed the favour of God previous to his being circumcised, that is, without circumcision, so it followed that others might on the same principle also. This instance settles the point; and there is nothing which a Jew can reply to this.

That righteousness, etc. That is, in the same way, by faith without works: that they might be accepted, and treated as righteous.

(n) "he received" Gen 17:10,11 (o) "father of all them that believe" Lk 19:9 Verse 12. And the father of circumcision, the father, i.e., the ancestor, exemplar, or model of those who are circumcised, and who possess the same faith that he did. Not only the father of all believers, (Rom 4:11) but, in a special sense, the father of the Jewish people. In this, the apostle intimates that though all who believed would be saved as he was, yet the Jews had a special proprietorship in Abraham; they had special favours and privileges from the fact that he was their ancestor.

Not of the circumcision only. Who are not merely circumcised, but who possess his spirit and his faith. Mere circumcision would not avail; but circumcision, connected with faith like his, showed that they were peculiarly his descendants. Rom 2:25.

Who walk in the steps, etc. Who imbibe his example; who imbibe his spirit; who have his faith.

Being yet uncircumcised. Before he was circumcised. Comp. Gen 15:6, with Gen 17.