Abraham Justified before Circumcision

Is this blessing only for the circumcised,(A) then? Or is it also for the uncircumcised? For we say, Faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness.[a](B) 10 In what way, then, was it credited—while he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? It was not while he was circumcised, but uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision(C) as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith[b](D) while still uncircumcised. This was to make him the father(E) of all who believe(F) but are not circumcised, so that righteousness may be credited to them also. 12 And he became the father of the circumcised, who are not only circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith our father Abraham had while he was still uncircumcised.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:9 Gn 15:6
  2. 4:11 Lit righteousness of faith, also in v. 13

Now does this blessedness come to the circumcised alone, or also to the uncircumcised? For we say, “Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.”[a] 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was he circumcised or uncircumcised? He had not yet been circumcised, but was uncircumcised. 11 Afterward he received the mark of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. Therefore, he is the ancestor of all who believe while uncircumcised, in order that righteousness may be credited to them. 12 He is also the ancestor of the circumcised—those who are not only circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

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