Romans 4:10

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

How {G4459} was it {G3049} then {G3767} reckoned {G3049}? when he was {G5607} in {G1722} circumcision {G4061}, or {G2228} in {G1722} uncircumcision {G203}? Not {G3756} in {G1722} circumcision {G4061}, but {G235} in {G1722} uncircumcision {G203}.

but what state was he in when it was so credited — circumcision or uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision!

In what context was it credited? Was it after his circumcision, or before? It was not after, but before.

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

Romans 4:10 is a crucial question posed by the Apostle Paul in his argument for justification by faith, not by works or religious rituals.

Context

In Romans chapter 4, Paul uses the example of Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, to demonstrate that salvation has always been by faith. He quotes Genesis 15:6, where it is written, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." The question in verse 10 directly follows this assertion and addresses a potential objection: Was Abraham's faith counted before or after he was circumcised? Circumcision was the sign of the covenant God made with Abraham and his descendants, later becoming a key marker of Jewish identity and adherence to the Law.

Key Themes

  • Justification by Faith Predates Law and Ritual: The central point is that Abraham's righteousness was reckoned *before* he underwent circumcision (which occurred later, in Genesis 17). This timing is critical because it proves that God's method of declaring someone righteous is based on their faith, not on their participation in religious ceremonies or adherence to the Mosaic Law, which came centuries after Abraham.
  • Inclusivity of Salvation: By showing that Abraham was justified while still "in uncircumcision" (i.e., before he and his household were circumcised), Paul lays the groundwork for arguing that salvation is available to both Jews (the circumcised) and Gentiles (the uncircumcised) through faith in Christ, just as it was for Abraham.

Linguistic Insights

The key term translated "reckoned" or "counted" (Greek: logizomai) means to calculate, impute, or credit. Paul uses this word multiple times in Romans 4 to emphasize that righteousness is not earned but is credited to the believer's account by God as a result of faith.

Reflection

Romans 4:10 powerfully reinforces the gospel message that salvation is a gift received by faith alone, independent of religious works or status. It shows that God's plan of salvation through faith is consistent throughout history, applying to Abraham before the Law, and applying to all believers today, whether Jew or Gentile, through faith in Jesus Christ. It challenges any notion that our standing before God is based on our religious performance or identity rather than on God's grace received through faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Galatians 6:15

    For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

  • Galatians 5:6

    For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

  • Genesis 16:1

    ¶ Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name [was] Hagar.

  • Genesis 16:3

    And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

  • Genesis 17:1

    ¶ And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

  • Genesis 17:10

    This [is] my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

  • Genesis 17:23

    ¶ And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.

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