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:
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, х di' (G1223) akrobustias (G203)]. The mode of expression here changes, [from en akrobbustias.] The precise idea intended seems to be that of 'piercing,' or 'breaking through, in order to get into a certain state;' and being used of the Gentiles, expresses their attaining to a justified state through faith, in spite of the seeming barrier of their "uncircumcision."
That righteousness might be imputed unto them also. The import of these three verses may be thus expressed: 'Say not, All the blessedness of which David sings is spoken of the circumcised, and is therefore no evidence of God's general way of justifying men; for Abraham's justification took place long before he was circumcised, and so could have no dependence upon that rite: nay, the "sign of circumcision" was given to Abraham as "a seal" (or token) of the (justifying) righteousness which he had before he was circumcised; in order that he might stand forth to every age as the parent believer-the model man of justification by faith-after whose type, as the first public example of it, all were to be moulded, whether Jew or Gentile, who should hereafter believe to life everlasting.'