Romans 4:9
What does Romans 4:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 4:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 4:9 means
Paul asks whether this blessedness is only for the circumcised or also for the uncircumcised. He returns to the key statement about Abraham’s faith being credited as righteousness. The issue is the scope of grace: is it restricted by a covenant badge, or does it extend by faith beyond those boundaries? By raising the question, Paul prepares to show that Abraham received his righteous standing before he was circumcised. Therefore, circumcision cannot be the condition for blessing. This inquiry matters pastorally and theologically: it determines whether Gentiles may stand with Abraham on the same ground of faith.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Is this blessing, then, for the circumcision only, or in the same way for those who have not circumcision? for we say that the faith of Abraham was put to his account as righteousness.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862<FI> Is<Fi> this happiness, then, upon the circumcision, or also upon the uncircumcision--for we say that the faith was reckoned to Abraham--to righteousness?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752This blessedness then, doth it remain in the circumcision only or in the uncircumcision also? For we say that unto Abraham faith was reputed to justice.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890[Does] this blessedness then [rest] on the circumcision, or also on the uncircumcision? For we say that faith has been reckoned to Abraham as righteousness.
Context
After citing David’s description of blessedness, Paul turns to its recipients. Verse 9 poses the inclusion question and recalls Abraham’s crediting of righteousness. Verses 10–12 will give the decisive historical answer from Abraham’s life, focusing on the timing of his justification relative to circumcision. This will allow Paul to argue that Abraham is the father of all who believe, both uncircumcised Gentiles and circumcised Jews who share his faith.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 3:26
For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.
- Isaiah 49:6
yea, he saith, It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
- Colossians 3:11
where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
- Romans 10:12
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him:
- Ephesians 2:11
Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;
- Romans 4:3
For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.
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