Romans 4:10

10 How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

Romans 4:10 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 4:10

How was it then reckoned?
&c.] The Arabic version adds, "and when"; and the Ethiopic version reads it, "when was Abraham justified?" expressing the sense, not the words of the original text, with which agree the following questions:

when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision?
that is, was he justified, or his faith reckoned to him for righteousness, when he was a circumcised, or an uncircumcised person?

not in circumcision;
or when he was circumcised; for when it was said of him, that "he believed in the Lord", and "he counted it to him for righteousness", ( Genesis 15:6 ) , he was then uncircumcised, and remained so many years after: for this was before the birth of Ishmael, and Ishmael was "thirteen" years of age when he and his father Abraham were circumcised; so that it must be "fourteen" years, or thereabout, before his circumcision, that this declaration of his being a justified person was made; wherefore the apostle rightly adds,

but in uncircumcision;
or whilst an uncircumcised person: hence it clearly appears that circumcision could not be the cause of his justification, since it followed it; and if Abraham when uncircumcised was a justified person, as it is certain he was, why may not uncircumcised Gentiles be justified also? and especially when it is observed, that the covenant made with Abraham when uncircumcised, included the Gentiles; see ( Genesis 12:3 ) ( 17:4-6 ) .

Romans 4:10 In-Context

8 Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

9 [Cometh] this blessedness then upon the circumcision [only], or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

10 How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith, which [he had yet] being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they are not circumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also;

12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which [he had] being [yet] uncircumcised.