Romans 4:9

Romans 4:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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 International Version (NIV)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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.
• New King James Version (NKJV)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.

Context of Romans 4:9

7“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8blessed is the one against whom the Lord will never count sin.” Is this blessedness then for the circumcision or also for the uncircumcision? For we say, “faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.” 10How then was it credited to him? Was he circumcised at the time, or not? No, he was not circumcised but uncircumcised! 11And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised, so that he would become the father of all those who believe but have never been circumcised, that they too could have righteousness credited to them.

Romans 4:9 word by word

Ὁ μακαρισμὸς οὖν οὗτος ἐπὶ τὴν περιτομὴν ἢ καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν ἀκροβυστίαν; λέγομεν γάρ ἐλογίσθη τῷ Ἀβραὰμ ἡ πίστις εἰς δικαιοσύνην.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• blessednessμακαρισμόςmakarismos · blessednessG3108
• thenοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• uponἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• the circumcisionπεριτομήperitomē · circumcisionG4061
• orἤē · orG2228
• the uncircumcisionἀκροβυστίαakrobustia · uncircumcisionG203
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• forγάρgar · forG1063
• we sayλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102
• was reckonedλογίζομαιlogizomai · to countG3049
• to AbrahamἈβραάμAbraam · AbrahamG11
• forεἰςeis · towardG1519
• righteousnessδικαιοσύνηdikaiosunē · righteousnessG1343

Cross-references for Romans 4:9

• Romans 3:29Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the Gentiles too? Yes, of the Gentiles too!
• Romans 9:23And what if he is willing to make known the wealth of his glory on the objects of mercy that he has prepared beforehand for glory –
• Romans 10:12For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him.
• Romans 15:8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth to confirm the promises made to the fathers,
• Isaiah 49:6he says, “Is it too insignificant a task for you to be my servant, to reestablish the tribes of Jacob, and restore the remnant of Israel? I will make you a light to the nations, so you can bring my deliverance to the remote regions of the earth.”
• Luke 2:32a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
• Galatians 3:14in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we could receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.
• Ephesians 2:11Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh – who are called “uncircumcision” by the so-called “circumcision” that is performed on the body by human hands –
• Ephesians 3:8To me – less than the least of all the saints – this grace was given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ
• Colossians 3:11Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all.
• Romans 4:3For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Commentaries on Romans 4:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Cometh this blessedness - upon the circumcision only - The word , only, is very properly supplied by our translators, and indeed is found in some excellent MSS., and is here quite necessary to complete the sense. The apostle's question is very nervous. If this pardon, granted in this way, be essential to happiness - and David says it is so - then is it the privilege of the Jews exclusively? This cannot be; for, as it is by the mere mercy of God, through…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9Cometh … - The apostle has now prepared the way for an examination of the inquiry whether this came in consequence of obedience to the Law? or whether it was without obedience to the Law? Having shown that Abraham was justified by faith in accordance with the doctrine which he was defending, the only remaining inquiry was whether it was after he was circumcised or before; whether in consequence of his circumcision or not. If it was after his circumcision…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 9-129-12. Cometh this blessedness then, &c.--that is, "Say not, All this is spoken of the circumcised, and is therefore no evidence of God's general way of justifying men; for Abraham's justification took place long before he was circumcised, and so could have no dependence upon that rite: nay, 'the sign of circumcision' was given to Abraham as 'a seal' (or token) of the (justifying) righteousness which he had before he was circumcised; in order that he might…Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 4:9

• Abraham
• Bigotry
• Catholicity
• Circumcision
• Faith
• Justification
• Righteousness
• Salvation
• Works

In the dictionaries

• Abraham
• Abraham, Abram
• Flesh
• Impute
• Quicken
• Raise
• Reckon
• Stagger
• Unbelief
• Void

Commentaries on Romans 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings