Romans 4:11—“… circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had …”

How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 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 be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 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 (Rom. 4:10-12).

(I)

Rev. James D. Slopsema

[Source: The Standard Bearer, vol. 62, no. 17 (June 1, 1986), p. 399-400]

In Romans 4:11, we read that Abraham “received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised.” The idea here is that by faith in Jesus Christ we are righteous before God. This is the great truth of justification by faith alone without the works of the law. And according to Romans 4:11, circumcision was, in the Old Testament, a seal of that righteousness by faith. It was through circumcision that God sealed or guaranteed to all and every believer in the Old Testament that in the way of his faith he was righteous before God, justified and thus an heir of life eternal.

      

For that reason, circumcision was also a seal of God’s covenant in the Old Testament. For at the heart of the covenant is the righteousness which is by faith. God draws near to us in His covenant fellowship and friendship only on the basis of the perfect righteousness which is ours by faith in Christ. Being, therefore, a seal of the righteousness which is by faith, the rite of circumcision was, in the Old Testament, also a sign and seal of God’s covenant of grace.

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(II)

More to come! (DV)