Circumcised by Grace

Romans 4:9-12

As a non-Jew we often do not comprehend the Jewish mindset when it comes to Abraham or the outward act of circumcision.  Paul refers to Genesis 15:6, “And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”  So what came first faith or circumcision?  It is clear Abram believed God before he became Abraham and it was only after becoming Abraham that God establish the covenant of circumcision.

Examine with me Genesis 17:9-14,“And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.” 

First, circumcision was done to males only and it was the cutting of flesh of the foreskin, it was a covenant between God and His chosen people, and it is an on going covenant with the Jewish people.  But it was an outward act of obedience but it became a custom, bragging rights, but not an act of faith.

Paul is making the case that Abram was uncircumcised when he attained God’s favor and it was not and outward act but an act of the heart, he chose to believe God.  The point Paul is making is that Gentiles can also be justified by faith in the God who Abram found favor with.  So the point Paul is making is both Gentiles and Jews enter into Christ by grace through faith.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice