Romans 4:11
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σημεῖον
the sign
G4592
σημεῖον
the sign
Strong's:
G4592
Word #:
2 of 30
an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally
ἔλαβεν
he received
G2983
ἔλαβεν
he received
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
3 of 30
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
περιτομῆς
of circumcision
G4061
περιτομῆς
of circumcision
Strong's:
G4061
Word #:
4 of 30
circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively)
σφραγῖδα
a seal
G4973
σφραγῖδα
a seal
Strong's:
G4973
Word #:
5 of 30
a signet (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation); by implication, the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literally or
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δικαιοσύνην
of the righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνην
of the righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
7 of 30
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστεως
of the faith
G4102
πίστεως
of the faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
9 of 30
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀκροβυστίας
they be not circumcised
G203
ἀκροβυστίας
they be not circumcised
Strong's:
G203
Word #:
13 of 30
the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e., gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person
εἰς
that
G1519
εἰς
that
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
14 of 30
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῖς
he
G846
αὐτοῖς
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πατέρα
the father
G3962
πατέρα
the father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
18 of 30
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πιστευόντων
them that believe
G4100
πιστευόντων
them that believe
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
21 of 30
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
δι'
though
G1223
δι'
though
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
22 of 30
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
ἀκροβυστίας
they be not circumcised
G203
ἀκροβυστίας
they be not circumcised
Strong's:
G203
Word #:
23 of 30
the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e., gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person
εἰς
that
G1519
εἰς
that
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
24 of 30
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λογισθῆναι
might be imputed
G3049
λογισθῆναι
might be imputed
Strong's:
G3049
Word #:
26 of 30
to take an inventory, i.e., estimate (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
27 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῖς
he
G846
αὐτοῖς
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
28 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Romans 3:22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:Luke 19:9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.Hebrews 11:7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.2 Corinthians 1:22Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.Ephesians 1:13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,Ephesians 4:30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.Romans 10:11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.Romans 10:6But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)Romans 10:4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.John 6:35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Historical Context
The concept of Abraham as 'father' was central to Jewish identity (Matthew 3:9, John 8:39). Paul redefines this fatherhood from ethnic descent to faith. Abraham becomes father not by biological lineage but by faith-pattern. This theological revolution would create the 'one new man' (Ephesians 2:15) of Jewish and Gentile believers united in Christ, sharing Abraham's faith without requiring Abraham's circumcision.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the difference between a 'sign' and a 'cause,' and why does this distinction matter for how we view sacraments?
- How does Abraham's role as 'father of all who believe' redefine covenant membership from ethnicity to faith?
- In what ways do Christians confuse signs of grace (baptism, communion) with means or grounds of justification?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: Paul defines circumcision's proper role: sēmeion (σημεῖον, "sign") and sphragida (σφραγῖδα, "seal") of righteousness already possessed. A seal authenticates what already exists; it does not create it. Circumcision confirmed (esphragisen, ἐσφράγισεν, aorist—at a point in time) the righteousness Abraham received through faith while uncircumcised. The genitive construction "the righteousness of the faith" shows faith's instrumental role—righteousness comes through faith, not from circumcision.
The purpose clause (eis to einai, εἰς τὸ εἶναι, "in order that he might be") reveals God's intent: Abraham as patera pantōn tōn pisteuontōn (πατέρα πάντων τῶν πιστευόντων, "father of all the ones believing")—even if they remain di' akrobystias (δι' ἀκροβυστίας, "through uncircumcision"). Abraham's uncircumcised justification makes him the prototype for Gentile believers. The purpose is clear: eis to logisthēnai (εἰς τὸ λογισθῆναι, "in order that might be reckoned") righteousness to uncircumcised believers too. Chronology determines theology, which determines ecclesiology.