SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:9
¶ ¿Es pues esta bienaventuranza solamente en la circuncisin o tambin en la incircuncisin? Porque decimos que a Abraham le fue contada la fe por justicia.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 4:9
Verse 9. Cometh this blessedness-upon the circumcision only] The word monon, only, is very properly supplied by our translators, and indeed is found in some excellent MSS., and is here quite necessary to complete the sense. The apostle's question is very nervous. If this pardon, granted in this way, be essential to happiness-and David says it is so-then is it the privilege of the Jews exclusively? This cannot be; for, as it is by the mere mercy of God, through faith, the circumcision cannot even claim it. But if God offer it to the circumcision, not because they have been obedient, for they also have sinned, but because of his mere mercy, then of course the same blessedness may be offered to the Gentiles who believe in the Lord Jesus. And this is evident; for we say, following our own Scriptures, that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness; he had no merit, he was an idolater; but he believed in God, and his faith was reckoned to him eiv dikaiosunhn, in reference to his justification; he brought faith when he could not bring works; and God accepted his faith in the place of obedience; and this became the instrumental cause of his justification.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. [Cometh] this blessedness then upon the circumcision [only] ? etc..] That is, upon the circumcised Jews; are they the only persons that partake of this happiness? the word only is rightly supplied, and is in the Claromontane exemplar used by Beza, and in the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions: or upon the uncircumcision also ? upon the uncircumcised Gentiles; do not they likewise share in this blessedness? for we say, that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness . The design of these words with the following, is to prove that the blessing of justification belongs to Gentiles as well as Jews, and that it is by faith, and not by circumcision; which is done by observing the state and condition Abraham was in when justified.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-12 - To meet the views of the Jews, the apostle first refers to the exampl of Abraham, in whom the Jews gloried as their most renowned forefather However exalted in various respects, he had nothing to boast in the presence of God, being saved by grace, through faith, even as others Without noticing the years which passed before his call, and the failures at times in his obedience, and even in his faith, it wa expressly stated in Scripture that "he believed God, and it was counte to him for righteousness," Ge 15:6. From this example it is observed that if any man could work the full measure required by the law, the reward must be reckoned as a debt, which evidently was not the cas even of Abraham, seeing faith was reckoned to him for righteousness When believers are justified by faith, "their faith being counted for righteousness," their faith does not justify them as a part, small of great, of their righteousness; but as the appointed means of unitin them to Him who has chosen as the name whereby he shall be called, "the Lord our Righteousness." Pardoned people are the only blessed people It clearly appears from the Scripture, that Abraham was justifie several years before his circumcision. It is, therefore, plain tha this rite was not necessary in order to justification. It was a sign of the original corruption of human nature. And it was such a sign as wa also an outward seal, appointed not only to confirm God's promises to him and to his seed, and their obligation to be the Lord's, but likewise to assure him of his being already a real partaker of the righteousness of faith. Thus Abraham was the spiritual forefather of all believers, who walked after the example of his obedient faith. The seal of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification, making us new creatures is the inward evidence of the righteousness of faith.
Greek Textus Receptus
ο 3588 T-NSM μακαρισμος 3108 N-NSM ουν 3767 CONJ ουτος 3778 D-NSM επι 1909 PREP την 3588 T-ASF περιτομην 4061 N-ASF η 2228 PRT και 2532 CONJ επι 1909 PREP την 3588 T-ASF ακροβυστιαν 203 N-ASF λεγομεν 3004 5719 V-PAI-1P γαρ 1063 CONJ οτι 3754 CONJ ελογισθη 3049 5681 V-API-3S τω 3588 T-DSM αβρααμ 11 N-PRI η 3588 T-NSF πιστις 4102 N-NSF εις 1519 PREP δικαιοσυνην 1343 N-ASF
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:9 {Is this blessing qen pronounced?} (ho makarismos oun houtos?). "Is this felicitation qen?" There is no verb in the Greek. Paul now proceeds to show that Abraham was said in #Ge 15:6 to be set right with God by faith _before_ he was circumcised.
