Is Salvation for the Circumcised, the Uncircumcised, or Both? |
Romans 4:1-25 The Epistle [a.k.a. Letter] of Paul to the Romans [in Smaller Chunks] |
Then, what shall we say, that our [forefather,] Abraham, [has] found [out] [about] the flesh? For if Abraham were justified by works, [a.k.a. deeds, of which] he [has] [done & could] glory, [a.k.a. boast,] but not before God. |
[Romans 3:27 Then, where is boasting? It is excluded, [a.k.a. eliminated.] By what Law? [Is it eliminated] by works, [a.k.a. deeds?] [No,] [it's excluded] by the Law of faith [in Jesus Christ.] |
For what [did] the Scripture [say?] Abraham believed God, & it was [considered] [as] righteousness for him. [Genesis 15:5-6 And [God] brought [Abraham out] abroad, & said, Now look toward heaven, & tell the [amount of] stars, if you [are] able to number them. And [God] said to Abraham, So shall your seed, [a.k.a. descendants] be. And [Abraham] believed the Lord, And [God attributed] it for righteousness to [Abraham.] |
Now to him, [who does work,] the reward, [a.k.a. payment,] isn't [calculated by] grace, but of debt. [a.k.a. what is owed.] But to him, [who doesn't work,] but believes [in] Him, [Who justifies] the ungodly, his fath is [considered] for righteousness. |
Even [like] David, [who] also [describes] the blessedness of the man, to whom God [imputes, a.k.a. attributes,] [as] [righteous,] without works, [a.k.a. deeds.] Saying, Blessed are [those] whose iniquities are forgiven, & whose sins are covered. [Psalm 32:1-2 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, & whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom, the Lord [doesn't attribute] iniquity, & in whose spirit is no [deceit.] |
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord won't [attribute] sin. Then, [does] this blessedness only [come] upon [those circumcised,] or also upon the [uncircumcised?] For we say that faith was [considered] [as] righteousness for Abraham. Then, how was it [considered] [as righteousness?] |
When was [Abraham under] circumcision, or uncircumcision? [Genesis 15:3-4 And Abram, [a.k.a. Abraham,] said, [See,] You have given to me no seed, [a.k.a. offspring,] & [look,] [someone] born in my house is [my] heir. And, behold, the Word of the Lord came to him, saying, This shall not be your heir, but he, [who] shall come forth [from] your own [body] shall be your heir.] |
[Abraham] [wasn't under] circumcision [yet,] but [under] uncircumcision. [Genesis 17:23-24 And Abraham took Ishmael, his son, & all [who] were born in his house, & all [who] were bought with his money, & every male among the men of Abraham's house. And circumcised the flesh of their foreskin the [very same] day, [like] God had said to [Abraham.] And Abraham was 99 years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.] |
And [Abraham] received the sign of circumcision, [as] a seal of the [righteous] faith [that] he had, [still] being uncircumcised. That [Abraham] might be the [forefather] of all [those, who] believe, [although] they [aren't] circumcised, [so] that righteousness might also be [attributed] to them. |
And [Abraham,] the [forefather] of [those circumcised,] [& Abraham is also the forefather] to [those] who aren't [circumcised,] but who also walk, [a.k.a. follow,] in the steps of that faith of our [forefather,] Abraham, [that] he had [while] [still] uncircumcised. |
For the promise that [Abraham] should be the heir [for] the world, wasn't [just] to Abraham, or to his seed, [a.k.a. descendants,] through the Law, but through the righteousness of [his] faith [in God.] |
For if [those, who] are [under] the Law [are] heirs, faith is made void, [a.k.a. invalid,] & the promise [is] made [ineffective.] Because [following the letter of] the Law [brings about anger.] For where no Law is, [they aren't aware of their] transgression, [a.k.a. sin.] |
Therefore, [righteousness] is [from] faith. [so] that it might be [through] grace. [In order that] the promise might be sure, [a.k.a ensured,] to all the seed, [a.k.a. descendants.] Not only to [those, who are under] the Law [of Moses,] but also to [those, who have] the faith of Abraham, who is the [forefather] of us all. [Genesis 17:5 Neither shall your name be called Abram any more, but your name shall be Abraham. For I have made you a father of many nations.] |
(As it is written [in the Scriptures,] I have made you a father of many nations,) before [God] [in] Whom, [Abraham] believed, even God, Who quickens the dead, [a.k.a. makes the dead alive,] & [foretells with certainty,] those things which [aren't yet,] as though they [have happened.] |
[Abraham,] who [didn't see it impossible to] hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to [what] was spoken, So shall your seed be. And being [strong] in faith, [Abraham] [no longer] considered his own body, [that was] now dead, when he was [almost] 100 years old, & neither [did Abraham consider] the deadness of Sarah's womb. [Abraham didn't waver] at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, & [gave] glory to God. |
And being fully persuaded that, what [God] had promised, He was also able to [accomlish.] Therefore, [Abraham's unwavering faith in God,] was [attributed] to him for righteousness. |
Now, it wasn't written [in the Scriptures] for [Abraham's] sake alone, [because] it was [attributed] to [Abraham.] *But [it was] also for us, to whom it shall be [attributed,] if we believe [in] Him, [Who] raised up Jesus from the dead, our Lord, Who was delivered for our offences, [a.k.a. sins.] |
[Psalm 53:4-8 *Surely, He [has] borne our griefs, & carried our sorrows. [Still,] we [didn't respect] Him, [suffering, struck, & afflicted by] God. *But He was wounded for our [sins,] & He was bruised for our iniquities. The [discipline for] our peace was upon Him. And with His stripes, [a.k.a. whip marks,] we are healed. *All we, like sheep, have gone astray. We have, everyone, turned to his own [ways,] & the Lord [has] laid on Him, the [sin] of us all. *He was oppressed, & He was afflicted, & [still] He [didn't] open His mouth.] He is brought [like] a lamb to the slaughter, & [like] a sheep [in front of its] shearers is [mute,] so He [didn't] open] His mouth.] |
*And Jesus Christ,] was raised again for our justification. [Matthew 20:28 * Even [like] the Son of Man, [didn't] come to be ministered to, but to minister, & to give His Life [as] a Ransom for many.] |