Romans 4:9-12 - Before or After

9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, "FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."
10 How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised;
11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them,
12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

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- -  Whence the Blessing? - -

V. 9 - “Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also?” - Good question. “How blessed is the man...” (See: Psa. 32:2) - Is that for the Jew, or for the Gentile, or for both?
Remember: Abraham is considered righteous based on his faith! God declares him to be so, despite his obvious failures. Where he did not fail was in his faith and belief in God and God’s promises. “And He took him outside and said, ‘Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” (See: Gen. 15:6)

V. 10 - “How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised?” - The question is not necessarily “How was it done?”, but “When did this happen?”
Asked and answered.

V. 11 - “He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness” - See the following timeline:

• God promises land to Abraham (Gen. 13:14-17; 15:7, 18).
• God promises Abraham an heir and descendants (Gen. 15:6).
• God establishes a covenant between Him and Abraham (Gen. 17:2-5).
• God sets circumcision as a symbol of the covenant (Gen. 17:9-12).

“so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised” - Abraham is shown here to be the forefather of the Israel nation, and the spiritual forefather of believers. While being an actual ancestor of the Jews, he is a model for Christians. A person can inherit Jewish ethnicity - be part of the Abrahamic bloodline. You cannot inherit his faith, you must have your own. You can copy his example. You can share in the blessings from God, as you exercise your faith in Him.

V. 12 - “the father of circumcision to those... who also follow in the steps of the faith” - All is not lost because you are a Jew. Paul, in Rom. 3:1-2,  emphasizes the Jews have definite advantages. A Jew can be faithful just as Abraham was. Likewise you need not be a Jew to benefit from God’s loving forgiveness.  Believe God’s promises and live accordingly. Jesus died for ALL people, not just Jews. Everyone, anyone, can receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by faith and belief in Him. Paul emphasizes this later in this letter - see Rom. 10:9-11.

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