Mar 26 – Faith for Jews or Gentiles?

⁹ 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. ¹⁰ In what way, then, was it credited — while he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? It was not while he was circumcised, but uncircumcised. ¹¹ And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while still uncircumcised. This was to make him the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, so that righteousness may be credited to them also. ¹² And he became the father of the circumcised, who are not only circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith our father Abraham had while he was still uncircumcised.”

Remember, in Romans 4, we have been discussing the righteousness that the followers of God receive by faith, as opposed to works. In verses 9-10, Paul answers this question: Is this blessing of faith-based righteousness for the Jews only, or also for the Gentiles? Why this question? Paul has used Abraham and David both as examples of faith-based righteousness. Abraham is the father of Israel, not of the Gentiles. The Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants are between God and Jews, not Gentiles. Paul argues this with an interesting point. He points out that at the time of God’s blessing upon Abraham (Who was at that time called Abram), the covenant had not yet been established and Abraham had not yet been circumcised as a pledge to this covenant. The circumcision that Abraham received was a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith. (More on this in the next devotional) Thus, even Gentiles, who are not direct participants in God’s covenant relationship with Israel, and do not have the seal of circumcision, still may, and do, participate in receiving the blessing of God’s righteousness through their faith in Jesus Christ. 

Verses 11-12 confirm that the Gentiles have the same access to God and to salvation in Jesus as is available to the Jews. Not only that, Gentiles can claim Abraham as their father, not as physical heirs, but as children of God’s promise to Abraham. Below are other supporting passages written by Paul confirming the Gentiles’ inclusion as Abraham’s children.

“Neither is it the case that all of Abraham’s children are his descendants. On the contrary, your offspring will be traced through Isaac. That is, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but the children of the promise are considered to be the offspring.” — ‭‭Romans‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬-‭8‬

“For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.” — ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭27‬-‭29‬