Romans 4:9-12

                                                                     Romans 4:9-12

Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Salvation through faith alone, apart from the works of the law or the sing of circumcision is what Paul is seeking to prove.  His argument is directed primarily at the Jews because he wants to prove to them that they must trust in Christ alone for salvation and not on their own works or religious rituals.  All men want to try to earn their own salvation or deny their need of salvation.  The argument is that their works are good enough to save them or that the religion is what will save them.  Paul wants to make it abundantly clear that this way of thinking is wrong and not consistent with the experience of Abraham.  The previous passaged proved that Abraham was not saved by works.  This passage proves he was not saved by the religious ritual of circumcision. 

 

ABRAHAM’S FAITH PRECEEDED HIS CIRCUMCISION: Abraham was declared righteous based on his faith alone. Circumcision was only introduced years after his justification.  This argument is important to understand as it proves that there can be no way to argue that circumcision is essential to justification.  One of the major arguments of the Jews was that they believed that the Jews needed to be circumcised in order to be saved.  Paul demonstrates that this argument is false.  Any time that anyone seeks to add anything to salvation besides faith in Christ, it is a dangerous situation.  Things like baptism and church attendance are the results of salvation but not the prerequisites to salvation.

 

ABRAHAM’S FAITH PREFIGURED HIS CHILDREN: Paul is arguing that Abraham is the spiritual father of both the Jews and the Gentiles.  He was justified without being circumcised just like the Gentiles.  His circumcision was a sign of his faith just like the Jews.  There is no national claim to justification by faith.  All who believe, no matter where they are from, are considered to be Abraham’s spiritual children.  We must believe in Christ alone and preach Christ alone as the only means by which we can be saved.

 

APPLICATION: Be careful not to associate any kind of works or religious rituals to the message of salvation.  Faith in Christ is the only means by which anyone can be saved.  Share the Gospel of faith in Jesus freely and clearly.

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