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Romans 4:10

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 4:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision:
Romans 4:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7[saying], Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered.
8Blessed is the man to whom, the Lord will not reckon sin.
9Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness.
10How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision:
11and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them;
12and the father of circumcision to them who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which he had in uncircumcision.
13For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith.
← Romans 4:9Romans 4:11 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“How was it then reckoned? etc..] The Arabic version adds, “and when”; and the Ethiopic version reads it, “when was Abraham justified?” expressing the sense, not the words of the original text, with which agree the following questions: when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? that is, was he justified, or his faith reckoned to him for righteousness, when he was a circumcised, or an uncircumcised person? not in circumcision; or when he was circumcised; for when it was said of him, that “he believed in the Lord”, and “he counted it to him for righteousness”, (<011506>Genesis 15:6), he was then uncircumcised, and remained so many years after: for this was before the birth of Ishmael,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“How - In what circumstances, or time. When he was in circumcision ... - Before or after he was circumcised? This was the very point of the inquiry. For if he was justified by faith after he was circumcised, the Jew might pretend that it was in virtue of his circumcision; that even his faith was acceptable, because he was circumcised. But if it was before he was circumcised, this plea could not be set up; and the argument of the apostle was confirmed by the case of Abraham, the great father and model of the Jewish people, that circumcision and the deeds of the Law did not conduce to justification; and that as Abraham was justified without those works, so might others be, and the pagan,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Not in circumcision - Not after he was circumcised; for he was justified before Ishmael was born, Gen. 15:1-21; but he was not circumcised till Ishmael was thirteen years old, Gen 17:25. Romans 4:11”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:10 God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised! Paul’s point is simple: God’s declaration of Abraham’s righteousness in Gen 15:6 could not have been based on his circumcision, which happened later (Gen 17). This point further demonstrates that God’s acceptance and blessing is a free gift and not earned by works.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“not in circumcision: "Faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness," at least 14 years before he was circumcised; the former having taken place some time before Ishmael's birth, at which time he was 86 years old, and the other when Ishmael was 13 years of age, and Abraham 99. Gen 15:5, Gen 15:6, Gen 15:16, Gen 16:1-3, Gen 17:1, Gen 17:10, Gen 17:23-27; Co1 7:18, Co1 7:19; Gal 5:6, Gal 6:15 Romans 4:11”
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Related study paths

Read Romans 4 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification