King James Version

What Does Romans 4:11 Mean?

Romans 4:11 in the King James Version says “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised:...” — study this verse from Romans chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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:”

Romans 4:11 · KJV

Faith

Context

9

Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

10

How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11

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:

12

And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

13

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Read Romans 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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: Paul defines circumcision's proper role: sēmeion (σημεῖον, "sign") and sphragida (σφραγῖδα, "seal") of righteousness already possessed. A seal authenticates what already exists; it does not create it. Circumcision confirmed (esphragisen, ἐσφράγισεν, aorist—at a point in time) the righteousness Abraham received through faith while uncircumcised. The genitive construction "the righteousness of the faith" shows faith's instrumental role—righteousness comes through faith, not from circumcision.

The purpose clause (eis to einai, εἰς τὸ εἶναι, "in order that he might be") reveals God's intent: Abraham as patera pantōn tōn pisteuontōn (πατέρα πάντων τῶν πιστευόντων, "father of all the ones believing")—even if they remain di' akrobystias (δι' ἀκροβυστίας, "through uncircumcision"). Abraham's uncircumcised justification makes him the prototype for Gentile believers. The purpose is clear: eis to logisthēnai (εἰς τὸ λογισθῆναι, "in order that might be reckoned") righteousness to uncircumcised believers too. Chronology determines theology, which determines ecclesiology.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The concept of Abraham as 'father' was central to Jewish identity (Matthew 3:9, John 8:39). Paul redefines this fatherhood from ethnic descent to faith. Abraham becomes father not by biological lineage but by faith-pattern. This theological revolution would create the 'one new man' (Ephesians 2:15) of Jewish and Gentile believers united in Christ, sharing Abraham's faith without requiring Abraham's circumcision.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the difference between a 'sign' and a 'cause,' and why does this distinction matter for how we view sacraments?
  2. How does Abraham's role as 'father of all who believe' redefine covenant membership from ethnicity to faith?
  3. In what ways do Christians confuse signs of grace (baptism, communion) with means or grounds of justification?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
καὶ1 of 30

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

σημεῖον2 of 30

“the sign”

G4592

an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally

ἔλαβεν3 of 30

“he received”

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

περιτομῆς4 of 30

“of circumcision”

G4061

circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively)

σφραγῖδα5 of 30

“a seal”

G4973

a signet (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation); by implication, the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literally or

τὴν6 of 30

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δικαιοσύνην7 of 30

“of the righteousness”

G1343

equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification

τὴν8 of 30

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστεως9 of 30

“of the faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

τὴν10 of 30

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐν11 of 30

“he had yet being”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τὴν12 of 30

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀκροβυστίας13 of 30

“they be not circumcised”

G203

the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e., gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person

εἰς14 of 30

“that”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν15 of 30

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

εἶναι16 of 30

“might be”

G1511

to exist

αὐτοῖς17 of 30

“he”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

πατέρα18 of 30

“the father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

πάντων19 of 30

“of all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τὴν20 of 30

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πιστευόντων21 of 30

“them that believe”

G4100

to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch

δι'22 of 30

“though”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

ἀκροβυστίας23 of 30

“they be not circumcised”