Bible Strands
Romans 4:9
Is this blessing only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Roman believers, advancing his argument about Abraham’s credited righteousness. He poses a rhetorical question to determine whether the prior declared blessing applies exclusively to Jewish ritual observance or extends beyond it.
The words — μακαρισμὸς (makarismos) translates literally as “blessing,” and περιτομὴν (peritomēn) means “circumcision.” The Greek construction ἐπὶ τὴν περιτομὴν (“on the circumcision”) sets up a direct contrast with the uncircumcised.
The thread — The blessing grounded in Abraham’s faith originates in Romans 4:3 as the initial credit of righteousness. Paul later confirms this same non-ritual blessing reaches Gentiles in Galatians 3:14 and eliminates ethnic ritual divisions in Colossians 3:11.
Why it lands — The verse requires a reader to evaluate whether divine approval depends on physical covenant signs or rests entirely on credited faith. It demands the rejection of ritual exclusivity as a necessary condition for righteousness.
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
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Cross-references
- Galatians 3:14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
- Colossians 3:11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.
- Romans 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
- Galatians 3:26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
- Ephesians 3:8 Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
- Romans 3:29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,
- Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him,
- Romans 15:8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,
- Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)—
- Isaiah 49:6 He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”