Bible Strands
Romans 4:10
In what context was it credited? Was it after his circumcision, or before? It was not after, but before.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Roman church, clarifying the chronological sequence of Abraham’s faith being counted as righteousness relative to his circumcision. He establishes this timing to resolve whether the blessing applies exclusively to the circumcised or also to the uncircumcised.
The words — ἐλογίσθη (elogisthē) means “was credited,” and περιτομῇ (peritomē) means “circumcision.” Paul juxtaposes these terms to ask whether the accounting of righteousness occurred while Abraham was already circumcised or while he remained uncircumcised.
The thread — The text directly follows Romans 4:9 and anticipates Romans 4:11, which confirms Abraham received circumcision as a seal while still uncircumcised. The distinction between circumcision and uncircumcision losing its value appears in Galatians 5:6 and Galatians 6:15, while the underlying event of faith being counted as righteousness occurs in Genesis 15:6.
Why it lands — The passage demands that readers verify whether righteousness depends on ritual compliance or precedes it, concluding that faith alone triggers the divine accounting. It requires believers to ground their standing before God in belief rather than ceremonial status.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
Cross-references
- Galatians 6:15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.
- Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love.
- Genesis 15:5 And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.”
- Genesis 15:16 In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
- Genesis 16:1 Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar.
- Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless.
- Genesis 17:10 This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised.
- Genesis 17:23 On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or purchased with his money—every male among the members of Abraham’s household—and he circumcised them, just as God had told him.
- 1 Corinthians 7:18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man still uncircumcised when called? He should not be circumcised.