Romans 4:11

Romans 4:11 and he received the sign of circumcision,. seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them;

'Sign of circumcision' -the sign which consisted of circumcision, circumcision being the sign. (Genesis 17:11),. sign or token that one was. member of the covenant.

'A seal of the righteousness' -'as the stamp of God's acknowledgement of the uprightness based on faith' (Gspd) Circumcision wasn't. substitute for his faith; it was. token of the faith he already had.

'Seal' -an old word for the seal placed on books, for. signet-ring, that by which anything is confirmed. (Robertson p. 351)

'which he had while he was in uncircumcision' -someone might ask, 'Well, then why was Abraham circumcised?' Paul responds, 'It was God's stamp of approval on his previous faith'. NOTE: THIS WAS ONLY TRUE OF ABRAHAM. Abraham was declared righteous by faith before he was circumcised but none of his descendants were. (Genesis 17:12) To him alone it was. seal of previous righteousness.

'that he might be the father of all them that believe' -The Jews wish to deny blessing to those uncircumcised but this would EXCLUDE their famous father.

NOTE: Some try to parallel circumcision and baptism, and argue that baptism is simply. 'sign' of already established righteousness. The parallel breaks down when we realize that one is justified through forgiveness (Romans 4:7-8), but in order to obtain forgiveness/justification, baptism stands in the way. (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21)