What then can we say that Abraham found, our ancestor according to the flesh? 2 Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works, he has reason to boast; but this was not so in the sight of God. 3 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 A worker’s wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due. 5 But when one does not work, yet believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 So also David declares the blessedness of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record.” 9 Does this blessedness apply only to the circumcised, or to the uncircumcised as well? Now we assert that “faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.” 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was he circumcised or not? He was not circumcised, but uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal on the righteousness received through faith while he was uncircumcised. Thus he was to be the father of all the uncircumcised who believe, so that to them [also] righteousness might be credited, 12 as well as the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but also follow the path of faith that our father Abraham walked while still uncircumcised.
Paul previously said, “A person is justified by faith apart from works of the law (Rom. 3:28). Paul now explains that the Gospel he preaches is confirmed by the Torah and justification by God’s grace, through faith, was established in the OT. The story of Abraham was handed down orally and was well known in Jewish tradition (Gen. 12:1-25:10). God revealed himself to Abraham who became the founding father of Judaism (Gen. 12:1-4). The Jews were proud to be descendants of Abraham (Jn. 8:33). Christians regard Abraham as the father of faith because of the covenant God made with him (Gen. 17:1-7).
The Jews pointed to Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his only son Isaac as his justification by works (Gen 22:1-19), but Paul quoted the OT to show that it was Abraham’s faith, “Abram put his faith in the Lord, who attributed it to him as an act of righteousness (Gen. 15:6; vv. 1-3).” Abraham did not earn righteousness from God as he did nothing to earn it. God was not indebted to Abraham (v. 4). Abraham put his faith in God who justifies the ungodly, but that does not mean that Abraham was ungodly (v. 5). Abraham’s obedience to God was attested to in the OT even after the Law was established (Sir: 44:19-21). Paul quoted from the Psalms (Ps. 32:1-2) as further proof that a person is blessed if, “God credits righteousness apart from works” and his sins are expunged through God’s gratuitous divine mercy (vv. 6-8).”
Abraham was not circumcised (Gen 17) when his faith was credited as righteousness (Gen 15) and when God made the covenant with Abraham he said, “All the families of the earth will find blessing in you (Gen 12:3).” One does not need to be circumcised for one’s faith to be counted as righteousness. Circumcision has nothing to do with justification (vv. 9-10). Abraham received circumcision as a seal of the covenant between God, Abraham and his descendants (Gen 17:11-13). Abraham’s children include those who believe in Jesus and have faith (Gal. 3:6-9). Paul described the covenant as. “A seal on the righteousness received through faith.” Abraham became the father of all the uncircumcised who had faith in God so that righteousness might also be credited to them (v. 11). He is also the father of the circumcised who are faithful (v. 12). God is one and will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith and the uncircumcised through faith (Rom. 3:30).
Almighty God, you are the God of our father Abraham as well as
our God through faith. Increase our faith
that we may love you with our whole heart and love all our brothers and sisters
as you command. May our actions be a
witness to the gift of faith you placed in our hearts. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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