Romans 4:10

10 How then was it areckoned [reckoned]? in circumcision, or in prepuce? Not in circumcision, but in prepuce.

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 that man, to whom God areckoned [reckoned] not sin.

9 Then whether dwelleth this blessedness only in circumcision, or also in prepuce? For we say, that the faith was areckoned [reckoned] to Abraham to rightwiseness.

10 How then was it areckoned [reckoned]? in circumcision, or in prepuce? Not in circumcision, but in prepuce.

11 And he took a sign of circumcision, a token of rightwiseness of the faith [a marking, or tokening, of rightwiseness of faith] which is in prepuce, that he be father of all men believing by prepuce, that it be areckoned [reckoned] also to them to rightwiseness;

12 and that he be father of circumcision, not only to them that be of circumcision, but also to them that follow the steps of the faith, which faith is in prepuce of our father Abraham. [and that he be father of circumcision, not only to them that be of circumcision, but and to them that follow the steps of the faith of our father Abraham, that is in prepuce.]