Sign and Seal of Righteousness Romans 4:11

Paul the apostle asked the Jews in Rome,“Comes this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also?”, and he answered, “for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.” Paul continued, “How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.” In chapter four and verse eleven of Romans, Paul shared about, “the sign of circumcision” and “a seal of the righteousness of faith” where we read:

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:

The verse begins, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised:” Paul began with the words, “and he received” which means “and Abraham laid hold of, took up and carried” “the sign” or “the mark or token” “of circumcision” or “of the state which was already separated from the unclean multitude and truly consecrated to God”, “a seal” which means “a signet and impression” “of the righteousness” which refers to “of the state of him who is as he ought to be and the condition acceptable to God” “of the faith” which means “of the assurance, belief and fidelity” “he had yet” or “that Abraham was at that time” “being uncircumcised” which means “not in the state which was already separated from the unclean multitude and truly consecrated to God”. Paul referred to how Abraham was not “circumcised” when he “received” it's “sign” which was “the impression” of “righteousness”.

The verse goes on to say, “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 continued with the words, “that he might be” which means “so Abraham could be” “the father” or “the generator and ancestor” “of all them” which refers to “of each, every, the whole and everyone of the people” “that believe” or “who trust in, rely upon and cling to”, “though they be not circumcised” which means “even while they are not in the state which was already separated from the unclean multitude and truly consecrated to God”; “that righteousness” or “the state of him who is as he ought to be and the condition acceptable to God” “might be imputed” or “so made an accounted of, reckoned and deliberated could exist, happen and be present ” “unto them” which refers to “toward every person” “also” or “even so and indeed”. Paul stated the reason God “blessed” Abraham with “righteousness” and it's “sign and seal” was so everyone could be made “righteous” before God.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how God's intent was for “all the world” to be saved. God saw Abraham's “faith” and accounted him as “righteous”, and this led to him becoming the first of everyone in the world. When people receive Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord”, God “imputes” upon them “righteousness” and they become “justified” or “just as if I'd” never sinned before Him. They are “sealed” with God's Holy Spirit as a promise for eternal life, and their hearts are “circumcised” as a “sign” of the old “flesh” life being replaced by “the righteousness of God”. No one else provides this access to God, and all who understand these words will be wise to “believe and trust” in Jesus this very day.

Next time Paul tells the people in Rome how Abraham is, “the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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