JUSTIFICATION APART FROM CIRCUMCISION
THE BLESSING OF JUSTIFICATION (v. 9)
The blessing here refers back to verses 6-9 explaining how David spoke of justification by faith apart from works. “6Just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man whom God credits righteousness apart from works; 7‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. 8Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.’” This is a blessing because it is bestowed on man by the grace of God. Righteousness is not found in this man but is credited to his account on the basis of his faith. Righteousness is not the result of good works done in the flesh but rather of faith in the working of God. Here Paul is going to discuss how justification or imputed righteousness is not the result of law keeping, particularly circumcision, but by faith. Justification therefore is not for the Jews only but for the Gentiles also, “as many as the Lord God will call to Himself” (Acts 2:39ASV).
CIRCUMCISION (v. 9)
“Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also” is another way of saying “Is salvation for the Jews only or for Gentiles also.” Israel came to be known as the circumcision to make a distinction between themselves and others. When Paul recounted his conversion and ministry to the church in Galatia he said how he and Barnabas would go to the Gentiles and James, Cephas, and John “to the circumcised” (Galatians 2:9). Ephesians 2:11 makes these distinctions clear saying “therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called ‘Uncircumcision’ by the so-called ‘Circumcision,’ which is performed in the flesh by human hands-remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded form the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:11-12). But notice how Paul clearly taught that the circumcision was in the flesh and the Gentiles were Gentiles in the flesh. In Christ circumcision is of the heart by the spirit (Romans 2:29). But even in the church this was still a problem. Paul made a distinction speaking of how Jesus who is called Justus was “from the circumcision” (Colossians 4:11) and warned Titus of many “rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision” (Titus 1:10).
Early in the church this was a prominent issue as seen in the conversion of the Gentiles at Cornelius’ house. “And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 10:45) “2And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those who were circumcised took issue with him 3saying, ‘You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them’” (Acts 11:2-3).
Circumcision began with Abraham in Genesis chapter 17 as he was told to “keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised” (v. 10-11). Circumcision was not to be despised or forsaken, in fact, to reject circumcision was to break the covenant (v. 14) and therefore be cut off from the people. What is important here is what the covenant was all about. Starting with Genesis 12 there are many things that were promised to Abraham (Abram) and his descendants. In chapter 17 there are several things mentioned: 1) I will multiply you exceedingly 2) you will be the father of a multitude of nations 3) Nations and kings will come from you 4) Everlasting covenant for you descendants. It is noteworthy that at no time did God say you will be righteous or justified because you obey circumcision. But rather, “And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you” (v. 11). Being circumcised was keeping the covenant made to Abraham and remaining in the people of God but it did not impart righteousness. No, they only came by faith.
HOW THEN WAS RIGHTEOUSNESS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM? (v. 10)
Verse nine tells us plainly, “For we say, ‘faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.’” When God saw Abraham’s faith He counted it as righteousness and Abraham was justified. Then the question is raised as to whether righteousness was credited while he was circumcised or uncircumcised. A simple perusal through the Genesis account enlightens us that righteousness was credited to Abraham before he was circumcised in chapter 15:6, “Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” Abraham’s belief was based on a promise from God that Eliezer of Damascus would not be his heir but one from his own body would be his heir, namely Isaac. Furthermore that Abraham’s descendants would be as plenteous as the stars in the sky. What a word to hear from the Lord God. Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. Not one syllable is said about the good deeds or works that Abraham had done but simply that he believed in God. This was some 14 years before the covenant of circumcision (Acts 7:8). Circumcision was the main work associated with obedience in the Old Covenant Scriptures and now it is being made clear that this work of obedience is not what justifies a man but rather faith is.
SIGN AND SEAL (v. 11)
So what was the value of circumcision? Romans 3:2 tells us that it is “great in every respect.” Here we learn that circumcision is not only a sign but a “seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised.” It is a “sign of the covenant” and a “seal of the righteousness.” Though it was a sign of the covenant they Abraham had with God, it couldn’t be ignored or rejected. If someone rejected circumcision they were cut off from the people. Today men list things as essential and nonessential. Circumcision obviously is not in an area of “nonessentials” based on what God had said. But keep in mind that “blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.” Imputed righteousness is not earned but is a blessing. “Faith is not to be in the sign of the covenant but in the God of the covenant” (Given Blakely). Remember what we have read earlier, “But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God” (Romans 2:29). Circumcision didn’t make Abraham righteous but neither was it optional. Abraham didn’t trust in his circumcision but in God and for that righteousness was credited to him. Baptism is said by men to be a nonessential, optional ordinance. The Bible doesn’t speak of it this way. It is associated with forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit, the death burial and resurrection of Jesus, putting on Christ, and interestingly enough – the circumcision of Christ. Baptism is not optional but neither is our trust in our baptism but rather our trust is in God and Jesus.
Circumcision is also called a seal. It was a pledge of assurance that Abraham was justified before God not because of his circumcision but because of his faith. In the New Covenant the Holy Spirit is the seal. As it is written:
· “who sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.” (2 Corinthians 1:22)
· “so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Galatians 4:5-6).
· “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)
· “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)
This is quite a consideration. We have been sealed with the very Spirit of God. We have become children of God and because of that the Spirit is given to us and we now have a groaning in us that yearns for the Father. We have the Spirit as a pledge or down payment of the salvation that is going to be revealed; of our inheritance. We, like Abraham, are sealed because of our faith in God.
FATHER OF A MULTITUDE OF NATIONS – CIRCUMCISED AND UNCIRCUMCISED (v. 11-12)
Because justification is by faith and not by works, especially circumcision – it is for both Jew and Gentile. Fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that in his seed all the nations of the earth will be blessed and that he will be the father of a multitude of nations is seen in salvation by grace through faith. Righteousness will be credited to any man from any nation or any tongue that believes God. God has always been looking for these people. God is looking for those who trust him even when everything the world says, their logic says, and their body says a thing is impossible. Abraham was very old and his wife was barren. God told him that He would make him the father of a multitude of nations. Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.