Romans 4:9
New International Version
Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.

New Living Translation
Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles? Well, we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith.

English Standard Version
Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.

Berean Standard Bible
Is this blessing only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.

Berean Literal Bible
Is this blessing then on the circumcision, or also on the uncircumcision? For we are saying faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.

King James Bible
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

New King James Version
Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

New American Standard Bible
Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

NASB 1995
Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

NASB 1977
Is this blessing then upon the circumcised, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say, “FAITH WAS RECKONED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore, is this blessing on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “FAITH WAS COUNTED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Amplified Bible
Is this blessing only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say, “FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Christian Standard Bible
Is this blessing only for the circumcised, then? Or is it also for the uncircumcised? For we say, Faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Is this blessing only for the circumcised, then? Or is it also for the uncircumcised? For we say, Faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness.

American Standard Version
Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness.

Contemporary English Version
Are these blessings meant for circumcised people or for those who are not circumcised? Well, the Scriptures say that God accepted Abraham because Abraham had faith in him.

English Revised Version
Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Are only the circumcised people blessed, or are uncircumcised people blessed as well? We say, "Abraham's faith was regarded as God's approval of him."

Good News Translation
Does this happiness that David spoke of belong only to those who are circumcised? No indeed! It belongs also to those who are not circumcised. For we have quoted the scripture, "Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous."

International Standard Version
Now does this blessedness come to the circumcised alone, or also to the uncircumcised? For we say, "Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness."

Majority Standard Bible
Is this blessing only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.

NET Bible
Is this blessedness then for the circumcision or also for the uncircumcision? For we say, "faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness."

New Heart English Bible
Is this blessing then pronounced on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.

Webster's Bible Translation
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

Weymouth New Testament
This declaration of blessedness, then, does it come simply to the circumcised, or to the uncircumcised as well? For Abraham's faith--so we affirm--was placed to his credit as righteousness.

World English Bible
Is this blessing then pronounced only on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
[Is] this blessedness, then, on the circumcision, or also on the uncircumcision—for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness?

Berean Literal Bible
Is this blessing then on the circumcision, or also on the uncircumcision? For we are saying faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.

Young's Literal Translation
Is this happiness, then, upon the circumcision, or also upon the uncircumcision -- for we say that the faith was reckoned to Abraham -- to righteousness?

Smith's Literal Translation
This happiness then upon circumcision, or upon uncircumcision? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for justice.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
This 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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Does this blessedness, then, remain only in the circumcised, or is it even in the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was reputed to Abraham unto justice.

New American Bible
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.”

New Revised Standard Version
Is this blessedness, then, pronounced only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We say, “Faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now, therefore, is this blessedness on account of circumcision, or on account of uncircumcision? for we say that Abraham’s faith was accounted to him for righteousness.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Is this blessing therefore on the circumcision or on the uncircumcision? For we say “His faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Comes this blessedness then on those who are circumcised only, or on those who are uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham for righteousness.

Godbey New Testament
Then does this blessedness come on the circumcision, or on the uncircumcision? for we say That faith was imputed to Abraham for righteousness.

Haweis New Testament
This blessedness then, is it for the circumcision, or for the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was imputed to Abraham for righteousness.

Mace New Testament
Is this happiness then for the circumcised only, or for the uncircumcised also? for we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

Weymouth New Testament
This declaration of blessedness, then, does it come simply to the circumcised, or to the uncircumcised as well? For Abraham's faith--so we affirm--was placed to his credit as righteousness.

Worrell New Testament
Does this happiness, therefore, come upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say, "Faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness."

Worsley New Testament
Now is this blessedness upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? for we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abraham Justified by Faith
8Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” 9Is this blessing only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10In what context was it credited? Was it after his circumcision, or before? It was not after, but before.…

Cross References
Genesis 15:6
Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.

Galatians 3:6-9
So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” / Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. / The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” ...

Psalm 32:1-2
Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. / Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

James 2:23
And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.

Genesis 17:10-14
This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. / You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. / Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner—even those who are not your offspring. ...

Galatians 3:14
He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Acts 13:39
Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Galatians 3:29
And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

Genesis 12:3
I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

Galatians 3:7
Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham.

Genesis 17:24-27
So Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, / and his son Ishmael was thirteen; / Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised on the same day. ...

Romans 3:28
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Galatians 3:8
The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 17:5
No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.

Romans 2:25-29
Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. / If a man who is not circumcised keeps the requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? / The one who is physically uncircumcised yet keeps the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Comes this blessedness then on the circumcision only, or on the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

Cometh.

Romans 3:29,30
Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: …

Romans 9:23,24
And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, …

Romans 10:12,13
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him…

for we.

Romans 4:3
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

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Abraham Abraham's Account Accounted Affirm Blessedness Blessing Circumcised Circumcision Credited Declaration Faith Placed Pronounced Reckoned Righteousness Simply Uncircumcised Uncircumcision Way
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Romans 4
1. Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness;
10. before he was circumcised.
13. By faith only he and his seed received the promise.
16. Abraham is the father of all who believe.
24. Our faith also shall be credited to us as righteousness.














Is this blessing
The "blessing" referred to here is the blessing of righteousness by faith, as discussed earlier in Romans 4. In the Greek, the word for blessing is "makarismos," which implies a state of happiness or favor. This blessing is not merely a temporal or material benefit but a profound spiritual state of being right with God. Historically, the Jewish people considered themselves uniquely blessed due to their covenant with God, marked by circumcision. However, Paul is challenging this notion by suggesting that this blessing transcends physical signs and is accessible to all who have faith.

only on the circumcised
"Circumcised" refers to the Jewish people, who were given the covenant of circumcision as a sign of their unique relationship with God (Genesis 17:10-14). In the historical context, circumcision was a physical mark of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. However, Paul is questioning whether this physical sign is the sole determinant of receiving God's blessing. The Greek word "peritome" emphasizes the physical act, but Paul is leading to a deeper spiritual truth that goes beyond physical rituals.

or also on the uncircumcised?
"Uncircumcised" refers to the Gentiles, who were not part of the Jewish covenant community. The Greek word "akrobystia" denotes those who are not circumcised, often used pejoratively by Jews to describe Gentiles. Paul is making a radical statement by suggesting that the blessing of righteousness by faith is available to the Gentiles as well. This was a revolutionary idea in the early church, breaking down the barriers between Jews and Gentiles and emphasizing the universality of the gospel.

We have been saying
This phrase indicates that Paul is reiterating a point he has been making throughout his letter. The Greek verb "lego" means to say or speak, and in this context, it implies a continuous assertion. Paul is emphasizing the consistency of his message about faith and righteousness, which he has been articulating to both Jewish and Gentile believers.

that Abraham’s faith
Abraham is a central figure in Jewish history, revered as the father of the Jewish nation. The Greek word "pistis" for faith denotes trust, belief, and confidence. Abraham's faith is highlighted as exemplary because it was based on trust in God's promises, even before the law or circumcision was given. This sets a precedent for understanding righteousness as based on faith rather than works or rituals.

was credited as righteousness
The phrase "credited as righteousness" is crucial in Paul's argument. The Greek word "logizomai" means to reckon or account, suggesting that righteousness is not earned but accounted to someone by God. This concept is rooted in Genesis 15:6, where Abraham's belief in God's promise was counted to him as righteousness. Paul uses this to illustrate that righteousness comes through faith, not through adherence to the law or physical signs like circumcision. This teaching underscores the grace of God, who justifies the ungodly through faith, making it a cornerstone of Christian doctrine.

(9-12) What is the bearing of this upon the relation between Jew and Gentile? Is the blessedness of the justified state reserved only for the former? Is it limited to those who are circumcised? On the contrary, the state of justification was attributed to Abraham himself before he was circumcised. Justification is the result of faith, not of circumcision. Circumcision is so far from superseding faith that it was only the sign or seal of it.

This, then, is the great test. Those who have it may hope for justification, whether their descent from Abraham is spiritual or literal.

(9) Cometh this blessedness.--We shall, perhaps. best see the force of the particles "then" and "for" if we take the sentence out of its interrogative form. "It follows from the language of David that the blessedness thus predicated belongs to the uncircumcised as well as to the circumcised, for"--then comes the first premise of the argument by which this is proved. It was the act of faith which was the cause of Abraham's justification. But both the act of faith and the justification consequent upon it were prior to the institution of the rite of circumcision. The narrative of this institution falls in Genesis 17, when Abraham was ninety-nine years old, and Ishmael, his son, thirteen (Genesis 17:1; Genesis 17:24-25), while the vision and promise of Genesis 15 apparently came before the birth of Ishmael.

Verses 9, 10. - Cometh this blessedness then (properly, is then this blessing) upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How (i.e., as the context shows, under what circumstances) was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. Faith, and not works, having been shown to be the principle of Abraham's justification, and those who were under the Mosaic Law, represented by David, having been seen to have shared the blessing of being so justified, the question still remains, whether it may not be confined to them only, or to Abraham's circumcised descendants only. That this cannot be is shown in two ways: firstly (vers. 10-13), from the fact that Abraham was himself uncircumcised when he was spoken of as being thus justified, so that neither the capability nor the inheritance of such justification can be viewed as dependent on circumcision; and, secondly (vers. 13-16), it is argued that the Law could not appropriate the privilege to his carnal descendants, the very principle of law being the opposite of that on which Abraham is said to have been justified. Thus the seed, innumerable as the stars, to be understood as inheritors of the promise made to him, and sharers in his blessing, are not his circumcised descendants, but a spiritual seed - they which are of faith being the true children of Abraham (Galatians 3:7).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[Is] this
οὗτος (houtos)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

blessing
μακαρισμὸς (makarismos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3108: Regarding as happy, blessed, or enviable. From makarizo; beatification, i.e. Attribution of good fortune.

[only]
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

circumcised,
περιτομὴν (peritomēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4061: Circumcision. From peritemno; circumcision.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

also
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

uncircumcised?
ἀκροβυστίαν (akrobystian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 203: From akron and probably a modified form of posthe; the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised state or person.

We have been saying
λέγομεν (legomen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

that
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Abraham’s
Ἀβραὰμ (Abraam)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 11: Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.

faith
πίστις (pistis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

was credited
Ἐλογίσθη (Elogisthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3049: To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose.

as
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

righteousness.
δικαιοσύνην (dikaiosynēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1343: From dikaios; equity; specially justification.


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NT Letters: Romans 4:9 Is this blessing then pronounced (Rom. Ro)
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