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"Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only...?"

Text: Romans 4:9

ESTABLISHING A DOCTRINE

Paul knew how hard it was to establish a doctrine. He knew that he would have to take several steps before a doctrine can be said to be established. The major steps would include the following:-

1. Definition of the doctrine: Imputed righteousness

2. Demonstration of proof of doctrine:-

a) Citing of Abraham as one who received imputed righteousness.

b) Citing of David as another one who received imputed righteousness.

c) Citing the Scriptures authoritatively.

3. Defence of doctrine

a) Against misunderstanding

b) Against misapplication

APPLICATION OF THE DOCTRINE

Ultimately, all doctrines must be applied to man. In Paul’s time, the standard viewpoint (Jewish) divided mankind into two major groups:-

1. The Jews (The circumcised)

2. The Gentiles (The uncircumcised)

Did the doctrine of imputed righteousness apply only to the circumcised? This was a question that Paul addressed directly.

“Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only,
or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was
accounted to Abraham for righteousness.”
Romans 4:9

1. Paul had already established that imputed righteousness is indeed “blessedness”.

2. Abraham was imputed righteousness because of his faith in God.

3. But would the reference to Abraham restrict the blessing to his physical descendants?

4. Would the uncircumcised be excluded from this state of blessedness?