Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Romans 4:10

"How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision:" — Romans 4:10 (ASV)

The issue discussed here is the importance of time: the time of God’s declaration of righteousness on behalf of Abraham in relation to the time of his circumcision. By using the term “blessedness” (GK 3422) from the opening of Ps 32 Paul moves from David back to Abraham. Are the uncircumcised able to share in the blessedness mentioned by David? To the Jews, such blessedness was properly confined to the circumcised. Paul dissents, arguing skillfully that this benefit was enjoyed by Abraham, and Abraham received it when he was still uncircumcised! To all intents and purposes, he was like one of the Gentiles. This opens the door to the extension of the blessedness of justification to the Gentiles.

Paul is still using the above-mentioned method of analogy regarding “credited.” As Ge 15:6 had been explained with the aid of Ps 32:1–2, now the apostle reverses direction and explains Ps 32 with the aid of Ge 15. Since Abraham was not circumcised until fourteen years after being pronounced righteous, circumcision was therefore really a sign of what he previously had. It was a testimony to his justifying “faith” (GK 4411) and was not something in which to take any pride (cf. 2:25–29). Circumcision was delayed to teach the future believing Gentiles that they too can claim Abraham as their father. It could even be said that Gentiles have first claim on the patriarch, who was just like them when justified. Jews stand rebuffed for their pride and exclusiveness (cf. Acts 15:11; Galatians 2:16). The people referred to in v.12 are Jews who are not only circumcised but, more important, are believers who share the faith Abraham had before he was circumcised.